The West Kelowna Warriors couldnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t capitalize on their first ever opportunity to win a Fred Page Cup championship. The good news is, theyÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll have another chance on Saturday night.
The Warriors fell 5-2 to the Chiefs on Friday night in Chilliwack, and now lead the best-of-seven BCHL final three games to two.
The Warriors would respond with a power-play goal of their own, as Kylar Hope buried one after Jonathan Desbiens hit the cross-bar moments earlier.
The story of the start of the second period was the absence of GreenfieldÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”due to an injuryÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”in the Warriors crease, as Keelan Williams took over between the pipes for the first time since Game 2 against Penticton.
Williams made 11 saves in the period, but Chilliwack tucked a pair in, also on the power play. Ryan Forbes tucked home a rebound and Jordan Kawaguchi found a loose puck to poke over the line.
West Kelowna had some great looks early on in the third period, but Aidan Pelino was stellar in shutting down four great scoring chances.
Chilliwack made it 4-1 on a late empty net goal, before Taylor Allan scored a power-play goal in garbage time as the game devolved to fight challenges and stick work. Tyler Anderson was able to score shorthanded late in the game against Matteo Esposito to make it 5-2.
The Warriors, with a BCHL title a victory away, will host Game 6 at Royal LePage Place on Saturday. Face off is 7 p.m.