The West Kelowna Warriors search for their first home ice win

Photo: Wayne Moore/file

Levi Stauber will return to the Warriors lineup Friday.

Seven games into the home portion of their schedule, and the West Kelowna Warriors continue to look to give their fans what they want the most.

A win.

They've come close, losing twice in overtime and their last outing, an epic nine-round shootout loss.

In both overtime losses, the led going into the final period. Against Salmon Arm, the Silverbacks found the equalizer with less than two minutes to go, then won it in the extra period.

They get two cracks at it this weekend, hosting the Silverbacks Friday and Merritt Saturday.

But, they'll have to get it done without several key players.

Along with Parm Dhaliwal and Jake Harrison, the Warriors will also be without injured forwards Jacob Brockman and Lucas Cullen.

There is some good news from the infirmary, as Levi Stauber is expected to return against Salmon Arm.

Stauber hasn't suited up this month, missing all six games. He led the team in goals through the end of September.

Despite heading into the weekend just 3-9-3-1, the Warriors have been playing their best hockey of the season of late.

They have not lost in regulation time over their last four games, going 2-0-1-1 during that span. A modest streak, but a streak none-the-less.

The Warriors also head into the game under temporary new ownership.

The league is in the process of finalizing the transfer of ownership from Kim Dobranski to the league.

The BCHL is, at the same time, looking for new, permanent ownership.