Sports

The West Kelowna Warriors ran into a hot goaltender in Trail Friday night as the Smoke Eaters hung on for a 3-1 BCHL victory. 

Photo: Contributed - John Hebert

Trail goalie Lyndon Stanwood made 17 saves in the 3rd period.

Despite taking an early lead, the Warriors fell behind in the second period and couldn't mount a comeback despite a furious third period rally. 

Marcus Basara gave the Warriors a first period lead when he scored a powerplay goal seven minutes into the contest. 

However, the Smokies found another gear in the second period and jumped ahead thanks to a powerplay marker from Brent Baltus and an even-strength tally from Jesse Knowler. 

West Kelowna fired 17 shots on goal in the third period, but were unable to solve Lyndon Stanwood. 

The Trail netminder made a handful of incredible saves, and was an easy choice as the game’s first star. 

Making his BCHL debut, Knowler’s second goal of the game into an empty net sealed Trail’s victory with 10 seconds remaining. 

Garrett Rockafellow started his first game of the season in the West Kelowna net. The former Victoria Grizzly had a solid outing, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he faced in the defeat. 

Both teams ended the night at 1/5 on the powerplay. 

“We gave ourselves a chance to win tonight” says Basara. “But for a full 60 minutes, we probably could have been better.”

He added the team was frustrated that they couldn't score in the third.

“Sometimes that happens when you have all the chances you need, and things just don’t cross the line. Sometimes you’ll get six goals, and sometimes you’ll be held to one.”

The Warriors will play Trail three more times in the next two weeks.

On Saturday night, the Warriors host the defending champion Penticton Vees at Royal LePage Place starting at 7:00.

--with files from Jon Zacks