Kristian Blumenschein knows better than to start celebrating before that fourth and final victory goes up on the board.
Still, like all of his Warriors’ teammates, the 19-year-old defenceman is excited by the prospects of bringing the city of West Kelowna its first ever B.C. Hockey League championship banner.
“We’re really focused on what we need to do,” said Blumenschein. “We really want to be first champions from West Kelowna, to bring a title here, and I think we’re all motivated by that.”
The Warriors will be looking to clinch the Fred Page Cup tonight when they visit the Chilliwack Chiefs for Game 5 at Prospera Centre.
West Kelowna leads the best-of-seven series three games to one after prevailing 3-2 in overtime on home ice on Tuesday night.
A sixth game, if needed, would be played Saturday night at Royal LePage Place.
“It wouldn’t be the worst thing to come back here in front of our fans on Saturday, but we don’t want to let it go that far if we can help it,” Blumenschein said. “We definitely want to take care of business on Friday night, get it done as soon as we can.”
Blumenschein, from Kelowna, is one of three local players on the Warriors, joining West Kelowna’s Brett Mennear and Jake Harrison.
While Blumenschein and the Warriors are mostly business these days, they’re also savouring the playoff ride and the buzz the team has created in West Kelowna.
“Absolutely, we’re enjoying this, just making the most of the experience,” he said. “It makes it even more special if we can be the first team to bring a banner to West Kelowna.
“It looks like summer outside and we’re still playing hockey,” he added. “That’s a pretty nice feeling.”
The championship series winner will represent the BCHL at the RBC western regional playoff early next month in Estevan, SK.
