Oct. 4, 2009
Ellis scores in overtime; Warriors beat Merritt 5-4
West Kelowna, B.C. – Brendan Ellis scored on a wrist shot from the point on the power play in overtime to give the Westside Warriors a 5-4 victory over the Merritt Centennials Sunday afternoon at Royal LePage Place.
It an odd game with many momentum changes, the Warriors fell behind 4-2 midway through the third period but tied it through goals by Trevor Bailey and Grayson Downing to force overtime.
Merritt’s Mitch Jones tripped Westside’s Cam Reid early in the overtime period to give the Warriors the decisive four-on-three power play.
Kelowna’s Keith Hamilton had a great game in net for Merritt, making 42 saves. Cam Gorchynski, getting his first start of the season for the Warriors (6-3), made 18 saves to pick up the victory.
The Warriors had a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the game after a power play goal by Bailey and they dominated the first period, outshooting Merritt 15-4. But the Centennials (2-5) seemed to get stronger as the game went on, forcing the Warriors to play catch-up.
“We got a lead and seemed to take them for granted a bit,” Warriors assistant coach Greg Lynott said after the game. “Merritt worked hard and we had to respond.”
The Warriors were down to four defencemen before the first period ended (they started the game with six D) after a scary incident just inside the Merritt blueline. Isaak Berglund made a play on the puck an was hit into the boards, dasher and glass face first on a nasty and illegal hit by Merritt’s Silvan Harper.
Warriors captain and Berglund’s defence partner, Joel Woznikoski, immediately jumped Harper and started throwing fists. Harper was ejected for the hit on Berglund, but Woznikoski was also ejected for his actions. Berglund did not return and was seen walking after the game, but was headed to hospital for X-rays on his lower back.
Bailey finished the game with two goals and two assists. Also scoring for Westside was Reid. Scoring for Merritt were Jordan Soquila (2), Alex Valenti and David Sabey.
The Warriors continue this home stand with a game against another Interior Conference rival, the Prince George Spruce Kings, on Friday at 7 p.m. at Royal Le Page Place.
For tickets, call Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or go to westsidewarriors.ca. You can also purchase tickets at the Select Your Ticket outlets, at the Warriors office and at the box office starting one hour prior to game time.
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1 |
Westside Warriors at 1:48 (PP) - Trevor Bailey from Cam Reid and Brendan Ellis |
PERIOD 2 |
Merritt Centennials at 4:00 - Jordan Soquila from Colton Sobchak and Alex Valenti |
Westside Warriors at 4:52 - Cam Reid from Trevor Bailey and Scott MacDonald |
Merritt Centennials at 10:56 (PP) - Alex Valenti from Colton Sobchak and Ryne Bodger |
Merritt Centennials at 12:24 - Jordan Soquila from Colton Sobchak |
PERIOD 3 |
Merritt Centennials at 8:16 - David Sabey (unassisted) |
Westside Warriors at 15:32 - Trevor Bailey from Michael Quinn and Scott MacDonald |
Westside Warriors at 16:30 - Grayson Downing from Tyler Krause |
OVERTIME PERIOD 1 |
Westside Warriors at 1:45 (PP) - Brendan Ellis from Trevor Bailey and Cam Reid |
Shots on goal
Merritt 4-15-3-22
Westside 15-16-16-47
Power Plays
Vernon 1 for 3
Westside 2 for 4
Three stars:
1. Keith Hamilton 2. Trevor Bailey 3. Michael Quinn
Next for the Warriors:
The Warriors host the Prince George Spruce Kings at 7 p.m. Friday at Royal LePage Place. Don’t wait in line for tickets, call Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or go to westsidewarriors.ca. You can also purchase tickets at the Select Your Ticket outlets, at the Warriors office and at the box office starting one hour prior to game time.
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