Marcus Basara pocketed a goal and three helpers as the West Kelowna Warriors opened the B.C. Hockey League playoffs with a 6-1 thrashing of the Merritt Centennials Friday night at Royal LePage Place.
The ex-Vernon Viper assisted on each of the Warriors’ first three goals before collecting one of his own 10 seconds into the third period.
The teams met for Game 2 of their best-of-seven Fred Page Cup series Saturday night.
Ambrose Firkus, Brennan Clark, Matt Anholt, Max French and Josh Monk rounded out the West Kelowna scoring in front of netminder Tyler Briggs (35 saves). Diego Cuglietta scored with 29 seconds left in regulation to ruin Briggs’ shutout.
Devon Hascarl, a Vernon native, drew an assist on the opening goal. Tyler Steel, also from Vernon, had 28 saves for Merritt.
In the other Interior series, the host Penticton Vees doubled the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 4-2 in Game 1 Friday night.
Singles by Louie Nanne, John Siemer, Travis Blanleil and James De Haas had the Vees up 4-0 before Brett Fagerheim and Josh Bowes answered for Salmon Arm in the third period. Vernon’s Jedd Soleway, a Vee, was named second star.
