The West Kelowna Warriors couldn’t muster much offense and gave up two quick goals in the 3rd period to drop a 4-1 decision to the Penticton Vees Tuesday in BCHL action at Royal LePage Place.
The first period was a feeling out process for both squads and the score showed that as the teams skated to a 0-0 opening period tie. Warriors netminder Nik Amundrud made 12 saves while Vees goaltender Mat Robson stopped all 8 shots he faced in the opening period.
The 2nd period saw some scoring and it started at the 2:46 mark as the Vees power play struck with a goal. A nice tic-tac-toe passing play resulted in a tap-in on the backdoor by Nic Jones and gave Penticton a 1-0 lead.
The period went along without any other scoring until the 18:14 mark of the 2nd period when the Warriors got on the board and tied the game at one.
Matthew Campese found a loose puck at the bottom of the right face-off circle and buried it past Robson for his 3rd goal of the season and a 1-1 tie heading into the 3rd period.
The Vees again struck quickly and gave themselves their second lead of the game at the 2:46 mark of the 3rd period and it was Nic Jones again. Chris Klack’s centering feed was tipped in by Jones in the slot for a pretty goal and to give the Vees a 2-1 lead early in the frame.
Penticton added an insurance goal at the 4:42 mark of the 3rd frame as Jared Nash’s shot was stopped by Amundrud but the rebound was banged in by Turner Ripplinger to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
The Vees played a strong defensive game down the stretch and added an empty netter by Duncan Campbell at the 18:44 mark of the 3rd to secure the victory over the Warriors.
Mat Robson was fantastic in the game for the Vees, making 35 saves on 36 shots and earning his league-leading 17th win while Nik Amundrud made 28 saves on 32 shots for his first loss as a Warrior.
The Warriors (11-12-0-1) head to the Mainland for the remainder of the week, beginning in South Surrey Thursday when they take on the Surrey Eagles.
