Jason Cotton played hero early in the second overtime period, as the West Kelowna Warriors upset the Penticton Vees 4-3 in game one of their best-of-seven Interior Division semi-final Tuesday.
Cotton, on the Warriors only power-play of the game, cleaned up a rebound in the Vees crease at 5:39 of double-overtime. Josh Bly, Brayden Gelsinger and Kristian Blumenschein also rippled the mesh for the Tribe. Scott Patton was the story for West Kelowna, as the rookie goaltender stopped 52 of 55 Vees shots.
Tyson Jost, Demico Hannoun and Lewis Zerter-Gossage score for Penticton, who had won their last six games to close out the regular season heading into tonight’s opener. Hunter Miska was saddled with the loss, stopping 34 of 38 shots.
In the second overtime, Cotton broke to the net and after Miska stopped Kyle Marino from the slot, he dragged the rebound around the outstretched leg of the Vees’ puck-stopper for the game-winner and the 1-0 series lead for West Kelowna.
It was an eventful first period, as the two teams combined for four goals on 22 combined shots.
Tyson Jost opened the scoring for the Vees, as he intercepted a pass at the Warriors blue-line and raced in all alone. Jost’s backhand deke beat Patton up high on the glove-side at 7:10.
Bly responded for the Warriors just two-minutes and nineteen seconds later, as he tucked in a rebound off a face-off at 9:29. Gelsinger then gave the Warriors their first lead at 17:29 when his one-handed backhand attempted deflected off a Vees’ defender and past Miska.
Hannoun brought the Vees back level inside the final minute of the first period, as he pounced on a rebound at the side of the net. Gabe Bast had his point-shot stopped but Hannoun put the rebound up and over the Warriors goalie at 19:06.
Both teams had chances in the second period but it was Lewis Zerter-Gossage scoring the only goal in the middle stanza. Zerter-Gossage crashed the net for the rebound and from inside the Warriors crease, he shoveled the loose puck at 17:57.
The Warriors found a way to come back again against the Vees in the third period, as Kristian Blumenschein put the Tribe back on even terms. His point-shot had eyes for the net, as his wrist-shot from the blue-line found its way through a maze of bodies and past Miska on the short-side at 6:01; the Warriors scoring on their first shot of the period.
Overtime would be needed to decide game one and Demico Hannoun had two great chances to end the game in extra frame. Twice Hannoun had partial breakaways, and twice he was stopped by Patton who managed to get a piece of his body on both attempts.
The Vees also had a golden opportunity when Tyler Kunz was sent off for a goaltender interference penalty midway through the first overtime but nothing materialized on the man-advantage.
Final Score: 4-3 (2 OT) Warriors
Shots: 55-38 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 0-2 Warriors 1-1
Three Stars: 1) Jason Cotton 2) Scott Patton 3) Lewis Zerter-Gossage
Attendance: 1,502
The Vees will look to salvage the split on home ice tomorrow, Wednesday, March 4th, when they host the Warriors in game two of their Interior Division Semi-Final; puck drop is 7pm and draft beer is just $3.50; fountain pop $2.50. Tickets are available at the Valley First box office (at the SOEC), or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
