Warriors clip Clippers

West Kelowna Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster called out some of his top players following a 4-2 loss to the Wenatchee Wild Friday night.

He said some of them, without naming names, needed to play better.

The Warriors got top performances from up and down the lineup Sunday afternoon in a 4-1 victory over the Nanaimo Clippers before more than 700 fans at Royal LePage Place.

"I thought some guys had some better games today, against a physical team that plays hard obviously," said Ferster.

The Warriors again gave up the first goal early when Jake Harris put the Clippers on the board in the game's first minute on the game's first shot.

"You never want to start playing from behind, and we certainly didn't like that first goal, but If we are only going to give up one a night  that's probably pretty good for us.

"Sometimes those early goals can rattle you, but I don;t think we got rattled. That's a team over there that plays hard, and I think we played as hard as them."

Unlike a come-from-behind win last Tuesday when starter Cole Demers was taken out after two early goals, the second one never came.

The offence got rolling in the second period, thanks to a pair of veteran defencemen.

Michael Ryan tied it at 4:21 of the second when his point shot hit a Clipper and deflected past Nanaimo goaltender Noah Featherstonhaugh Gowe.

Jake Harrison put the Warriors up for good 13 seconds later when his wrist shot from the left circle glanced off Featherstonhaugh Gowe's shoulder and in.

The goal proved to be the game winner.

Another defenceman, Stephen Kleyson put the Warriors up two early in the third when his shot off the rush found its way into the net.

Parm Dhaliwal closed out the scoring with a power play marker that again glanced off a defender and in.

Demers turned away 35 shots to earn his fourth win of the season.

The Warriors power play clicked for one goal on three opportunities, while the Clippers were held off the scoresheet on their three chances.

The win is the fourth in five games for the Warriors, who saw their four game winning streak halted Friday.

The Warriors homestand continues when they host the Langley Rivermen Tuesday. The homestand concludes Saturday when Cowichan Valley pay a visit.

Photo: Wayne Moore

The Warriors celebrate a third period goal in a win Sunday over Nanaimo.