The West Kelowna Warriors got a much-needed win, while the Kelowna Rockets dropped a heartbreaker in Saturday night hockey action involving the Central Okanagan’s two biggest junior teams.
West Kelowna was looking to snap a four-game losing streak in Prince George after falling short against the Spruce Kings on Friday.
Things started well with an Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero goal to open the scoring, but the Spruce Kings stormed back with two of their own to take the lead.
After Riley Sharun found the back of the net to tie things up late in the first, Aiden Reeves gave West Kelowna another lead with his second of the season just 15 seconds into the middle frame.
However, it was all tied up entering the third period after Jake Schneider, who scored both Prince George goals on Friday, beat Justin Katz five minutes after the Reeves tally.
The game was decided with a single goal in the third period, which came off the stick of Warriors forward Luke Devlin, which gave West Kelowna the 4-3 win and ended the skid.
While that happened in Prince George, the Rockets were home after a two-game US road trip to host a rare game against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
WARRIORS WIN!
— West Kelowna Warriors (@BCHLWarriors) November 27, 2022
Luke Devlin scores the winning marker while Justin Katz makes 27 saves as the Warriors knock off the @SpruceKings in Prince George by a 4-3 score!#BCHL | @StoneSisters pic.twitter.com/aytqYds4QT
It was a memorable night for Will Munro, who opened the scoring five minutes into the game with his first career WHL goal.
The Warriors stormed back though, getting a goal from Jagger Firkus in the opening period and two from Brayden Yager in the second to take a 3-1 lead.
But there was no quit in the Rockets and they crawled back to even with goals from Andrew Cristall and Colton Dach in the third.
Unfortunately for the home fans at Prospera Place, Jagger Firkus scored his second of the night, his fourth point, on the powerplay with just 18 seconds to go to give Moose Jaw a 4-3 victory.
A heartbreaker tonight at Prospera Place.
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 27, 2022
Watch tonight's highlights and hear from Colton Dach and Kris Mallette in our recap now. pic.twitter.com/GVpsArL031
Next up for both the Warriors and Rockets will be a pair of highly-attended home games.
West Kelowna will host its annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Friday, with the Vernon Vipers in town, while Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats will be in Kelowna to take on the Rockets Tuesday.
That game, of course, is already sold out as hockey fans are champing at the bit to get a look at the generational prospect in person.
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