If the end of the regular season is an accurate gauge, then the West Kelowna Warriors look very much like a playoff-ready hockey club.
The Warriors closed out the 2012-13 BCHL campaign with three road wins in as many nights, as they prepare to meet the Merritt Centennials in round one of the post-season beginning Friday.
After taking down Victoria and Cowichan Valley 4-3 in overtime on successive nights, Friday and Saturday, the Warriors rallied to beat the Nanaimo Clippers 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to see the Warriors tally three times in the third period for the win. Josh Monk’s power play goal at 17:19 of the third period was the winner, while Marcus Basara and David Pope also scored for West Kelowna. Steve Myland stopped 27 shots for his sixth win.
The Warriors went 6-0-1-0 in their last seven games to finish the season in second place (30-13-4-9), three points ahead of Merritt and just two back of Interior Division-champion Penticton.
Josh Monk said his club is playing well at the ideal time of the year.
“Since Christmas we’ve been on a pretty nice streak” Monk said. “I think we’ve got a lot of depth, and I think guys realize what it takes to win now, and how to win.”
The Warriors open their best-of-seven first round series against Merritt Friday night at Royal LePage Place.
Game 2 goes Saturday night at RLP. Face off both nights is 7 p.m.
West Kelowna won six of seven meetings with the Cents during the regular season, with the other ending in a tie.
