The West Kelowna Warriors are the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) champions.
The Warriors beat the Brooks Bandits 6-0 at Affinity Place on Saturday in the one-vs-two game to win the WCC and earn the first of two berths to the RBC Cup, which is being held in Lloydminster from May 14-22. The Bandits will face the Portage Terriers tomorrow afternoon with the winner earning the second RBC Cup spot.
The Warriors jumped out to a quick start against the Bandits where they peppered Brooks goalie Garret Hughson early on. Warriors forward Bryan Basilico put his team on the board first by picking up a pass in the slot and firing an attempt five-hole before grabbing his own rebound and popping it over a sprawled Hughson.
West Kelowna made it 2-0 four minutes later when defenceman Nicholas Rutigliano slapped home a shot from the point. Warriors forward Garrett Forster got in on the action at the 15:22 mark of the first period by throwing a puck at the Bandits net from the boards at the bottom of the circle where it was stopped by Hughson only to have the rebound deflect off his defenceman and into the net.
In a physical second period that saw both teams leave everything on the ice, the Warriors managed to get their fourth goal with Kyle Marino wiring a shot short side from the bottom on the circle while on the power play.
A march to the penalty box marked the Bandits downfall in the third period. The team took seven minors, one double-minor and three 10-minute misconducts in the frame.
The Warriors' Kylar Hope scored their fifth goal on a wraparound 9:01 into the third period, before Jared Marino banged in a rebound from the top of the crease on the power play with about eight minutes remaining to give West Kelowna the six-goal cushion.
