Oct. 26 – Reid Simmonds scored his second goal of the game with just 22 seconds remaining in the third period to give the West Kelowna Warriors a 4-3 win over the Express on Friday night.
The Express couldn't have asked for a better start to the game as they opened the scoring just over a minute in. Ben Isreal's shot from the right wing got through Andy Desautels and Canon Pieper followed up on the play and poked it home for his 10th goal of the season.
The first half of the game was filled with penalties. The Express had 4 powerplays in the first period but couldn't convert to extend their lead.
The Express finally capitalized on a man advantage in the second period, pushing their lead to 2-0. Adam Rockwood set up Zach Hodder for a one time blast past a screened Desautels. Hodder's second goal of the season. The Warriors cut the deficit to one before the second period was done.
West Kelowna came out strong in the third period looking for the equalizer. They opened up a 5-0 advantage in shots. Reid Simmonds pulled the visitors even as he roofed a shot over the glove of Gordie Defiel at 6:26.
That was followed 1:07 later with David Pope cutting to the net and sliding a backhand past the glove of Defiel to put the Warriors in the lead for the first time.
West Kelowna's come back was all part of a back and forth finish in the third period.
With less than 3 minutes to go the Express pulled even as Zach Hodder's snap shot hand cuffed Desautels, leaving a rebound for Bo Pieper to tuck home to tie the game at 3.
That goal didn't rattle the Warriors who kept pushing forward. Carl Hesler was robbed by Defiel with just over a minute to go as he came across the crease and got his pad down to make at the time a game saving stop.
But with 22 seconds left the Warriors decided the contest. Simmonds cut in from the left wing, his shot couldn't be corralled by Defiel and rolled in to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead with their third goal of the final frame.
Your Express get back at in on Sunday afternoon when the Chilliwack Chiefs roll into town for a 2:00pm game. Sunday Family Funday activities get underway at 12:30pm when fans can enjoy the Vancouver Tumblebus, Par-T-Perfect bouncy castle, facepainters and balloon artists courtesy of Jim Pattison Hyundai – Coquitlam
