Warriors derail Express

Photo: Garrett James/BCHL

Matt Kowalski continued his hot start to the BC Hockey League season.

Kowalski scored once and added a pair of helpers leading the West Kelowna Warriors to a 7-2 drubbing of the Coquitlam Express Wednesday.

Kowalski now has five goals in four games to start the season.

It was the Warriors first of two games at the Bauer Showcase in Chilliwack.

The Warriors erased an early 1-0 deficit with seven unanswered goals to win going away.

Kowalski tied it for the Warriors late in the opening period before the team exploded for three in the second.

Stephen Kleysen two minutes into the middle frame gave the Warriors their first lead of the night. Willie Rein, with his first career BCHL goal and Chase Stephenson gave West Kelowna a 4-1 lead after 40.

Rookie Max Bulawka with his first career goal, Matthew Campese and Jared Marino all scored by the midway mark of the third to give the Warriors an insurmountable lead.

The Warriors peppered Coquitlam netminder Reid Cooper with 52 shots, their largest shot total of the young season. Nik Amundrud stopped 30 of 32 shots he faced for his second win of the season.

The power play, which has struggled to score early in the season, connected on two of three opportunities. The Express were unable to score on their three chances.

The Warriors, winners of seven in a row at the showcase event, wrap up their Chilliwack trip against the Cowichan Valley Capitals at 4 p.m. Thursday.