The BCHL champion West Kelowna Warriors beat the CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins 3-0 in Game 2 of the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) hockey tournament at Affinity Place on Saturday night.
After sitting on the sidelines for the past 34 days, the Bruins set the pace early jumping ahead 4-1 on the shot clock five minutes into the first period. The hometown team, playing before a boisterous crowd of 1,200 cheering fans, earned a power play eight minutes into the frame only to see the Warriors gain the two best chances with their penalty kill. Bruins goaltender Daniel Wapple stood tall on both attempts, including a pad stack on Kylar Hope on the second opportunity.
West Kelowna jumped ahead 1-0 a little over four minutes into the second period when Reed Gunville picked up a pass in the slot from Jared Marino and one-timed the puck low glove side. Warriors forward Brett Mennear made it 2-0 1:03 later when he knocked in a rebound from a Nicholas Rutigliano point shot blocker side on Wapple.
The Bruins had a chance to come back after the quick goals thanks to three straight man-advantage opportunities, but couldn't get a good shot through on Warriors goalie Matthew Greenfield. Despite having a 5-2 advantage on power plays, the Bruins trailed the Warriors 22-20 in shots after two periods.
Mennear made it 3-0 9:50 into the third on a deflection in front that squeaked in low blocker side. The Bruins staged a late push thanks to two more Warriors' penalties in the final eight minutes of the game, but couldn't beat Greenfield.
The Warriors are back in action Sunday afternoon with a 2 p.m. tilt against the AJHL champions Brooks Bandits. The Bruins will play Sunday evening against the MJHL champion Portage Terriers, who defeated the SJHL champion Melfort Mustangs 2-1 Saturday afternoon.
