Season on the brink

The West Kelowna Warriors find themselves in a must-win situation if they hope to extend their season beyond Tuesday.

The Warriors season hangs in the balance after falling 4-0 to the Trail Smoke Eaters Monday at Royal LePage Place.

Trail leads the best-of-seven first round BCHL series three games to none with the fourth game set for West Kelowna Tuesday night.

Adam Marcoux turned away all 30 shots he faced, and was particularly sharp in the second period when the Warriors had a handful of good chances when trailing just 1-0.

Troy Ring scored what turned out to be the winning goal 15:15 into the opening period when his shot from the right boards navigated its way through a series of bodies, hit someone in front and made its way behind Nik Amundrud.

Tyler Ghiradosi doubled the lead 16 minutes into the second when he deflected home a point shot just six seconds into a power play.

Spencer McLean pout the game out of reach early in the third when he circled out of the corner toward the front of the net and beat Amundrud five-hole.

Then, with Amundrud on the bench for an extra attacker and the Warriors buzzing around Marcoux, Kale Howarth got behind the Warriors defence and hit the empty net to wrap up the scoring.

Trail outshot the Warriors 37-30 on the evening.

The Warriors played Monday without the services of forward Ryan Steele who began serving a three-game suspension for his third blow to the head penalty assessed during the second game of the series in Trail Saturday.

They also lost defencemen Jake Harrison and Tyler Jutting to injury during the game Monday.

The Warriors will need to win Tuesday to extend the series beyond the minimum four games.

They will also be looking to snap a seven-game playoff losing streak. The Warriors were swept in the first round by Merritt a year ago.

Should the series go six games, game six would be played back at Royal LePage Place Saturday night.

Photo: Julie Pringle/Snap Photography