Warriors hold off Vipers to open playoffs
The West Kelowna Warriors preserved their home ice advantage in the opening game of their BC Hockey League playoff against the Vernon Vipers.
Brennan Nelson had a goal and two assists for the Warriors in a 4-3 win over the Vipers before 1,041 fans at Royal LePage Place Friday night.
The Warriors take a 1-0 lead in the best of 7 first-round series with game 2 tonight at the same venue.
Lee Parks had a goal and one helper for the Vipers who outshot the home-town team 28-23.
Cayden Hamming got the win in net while Roan Clarke took the loss after WK built up a 4-2 lead before Hank Cleaves made it a one goal game with 7 minutes to play for Vernon.
WATCH as #26 Hank Cleaves scores to cut the Warriors lead to 4-3 with just under 7-minutes left to play in the 3rd period! pic.twitter.com/DziXc37kzY
— Vernon Vipers (@VernonVipers) April 1, 2023
After game 2, the series switches to Vernon for games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday at Kal Tire Place at 7 p.m.
All the Vipers playoff games are on 107.5 Beach Radio and Vernon Matters.
In other opening night Interior Division games, the Penticton Vees dumped Trail 8-2, Salmon Arm edged Prince George 2-1 and Cranbrook defeated Wenatchee 3-1.