The West Kelowna Warriors put a bit more distance between themselves and the fourth-place Vernon Vipers Friday.
The Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead and dumped the Vipers 4-1 in B.C. Hockey League action in front of 865 fans at Royal LePage Place.
The Vipers host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs this afternoon at 2 at Kal Tire Place.
Quin Foreman scored twice for the Warriors, who outshot Vernon 45-24, and who hold a five-point lead on the Snakes in the battle for third place in the Interior Division.
Riley Brandt, with his 11th, on a powerplay, had the lone Vipers goal.
The game featured only six minor penalties, four of them to Vernon.
Andrew Shortridge took the loss in net.
The Vipers announced before Friday’s game the addition of 20-year-old forward Charley Michalowski to the roster.
A native of West Roxbury, Mass., Michalowski was acquired from the U.S. Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for future considerations. Michalowski had two goals in eight games this season. He has secured an NCAA scholarship to Dartmouth University next season.
To make way for Michalowski, the Vipers made what head coach and general manager Mark Ferner called “a very tough decision,” and released Vernon product Mike Roberts, 20.
“We had opportunities to move Mike outside of B.C. but allowed Mike to make the decision on his future and granted him his release,” said Ferner.
Michalowski’s debut date remains in question as the Vipers await insurance approval from B.C. Hockey.
The Vipers take on the Vees Wednesday in Penticton.
Max Kaufman’s powerplay goal at 18:40 of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and gave the hometown Langley Rivermen a 4-2 win over the Vees Friday, snapping Penticton’s 23-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs were thumped 10-1 by the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm Friday, and played in West Kelowna Saturday.
Vernon’s Colton Thibault had 1+1 for the Gorillas, who scored six unanswered second-period goals, including two shorthanded markers 37 seconds apart with Armstrong’s Ryley Booth in the penalty box serving a double minor for cross-checking and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Vernon product Spencer Hewson had 1+1 to lift the Nanaimo Clippers to a 7-2 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters on Vancouver Island.
The Chilliwack Chiefs shaded the Powell River Kings 3-2 in overtime, Coquitlam Express dumped the Wenatchee Wild 4-1 and the Victoria Grizzlies whipped the Cowichan Valley Capitals 6-2 in Friday’s other league action.
