WEST KELOWNA — With the Fred Page Cup and the Western Canada Cup (WCC), this marks the furthest the West Kelowna Warriors have gone into the post season.
“The Warriors have been in uncharted waters for some time now but so far, it hasn’t bothered them,” said communications director for the BCHL, Brent Mutis in a news release.
Now, the Warriors are gearing up for the national stage, with the team’s first game of the RBC Cup taking place on Saturday against the host team, the Lloydminster Bobcats. Puck drop is at 6:30 p.m. PST.
“While Jonathan Desbiens, Kylar Hope and Liam Blackburn have been the offensive catalysts most of the season, others have carried the torch more recently,” said Mutis.
“Defenceman Nick Rutigliano let the team in scoring at the WCC with a goal and six helpers while West Kelowna native Brett Mennear went off for four goals and two helpers in the five games in Estevan, Sask.”
Mutis says regular season goalie Matthew Greenfield is considered day-to-day again after an injury in a WCC game against the Brooks Bandits.
“In his stead, Keelan Williams has been nothing short of stellar, going 3-0 with a shutout and a .987 goals-against average at the WCC.”
The Warriors will take on Brooks again at the RBC Cup.
“The Bandits grabbed the second berth into the national championship from the WCC. Also at the RBC Cup this year are the Trenton Golden Hawks from the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canadian Hockey League. Carleton Place is at their third consecutive RBC Cup,” said Mutis.