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Warriors' rookie Mennear nets first BCHL goal in win over Vernon

Local product snipes short-handed marker as West Kelowna wins its third straight game 5-3 over Vernon Tuesday night at RLP
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Westside Minor Hockey product Brett Mennear made no mistake on this short-handed breakaway for his first BCHL goal in a win over Vernon.

West Kelowna Warriors forward Brett Mennear was back in school Wednesday morning but you could forgive the B.C. Hockey League rookie if his mind was elsewhere.

Mennear, a 17-year-old Westside Minor Hockey product, tallied his first career BCHL goal on Tuesday night in a 5-3 Warriors win over Vernon, scoring in front of 892 fans at Royal LePage Place.

It was Mennear's first BCHL point, a short-handed, breakaway goal early in the third period that snapped a 2-2 tie with Vernon and helped propel the Warriors to its third straight win, improving to 3-2-0-0 on the season.

"It was really exciting, especially because it was a tie game in the third period," said Mennear on Wednesday morning. "(Carl) Hesler gave me a breakaway pass and I was thinking low blocker the whole way. It was a relief to get that first goal. I don't remember anything after I scored. It's all a blur."

West Kelowna has now rattled off three straight wins after opening the season with a pair of losses at the BCHL Showcase event in Chilliwack to start the season.

On Tuesday the Warriors top line of Seb Lloyd, David Pope and Jordan Masters led the way with three of the team's goals.

"Playing with Dave and Jordan they're both great players and they both kind of play the way I like to play: Moving the puck and give-and-go's," said Lloyd. "It's fun to play with them and I think it's only going to get better and better as we find a little more chemistry."

Ambrose Firkus had the other goal for the Warriors while Adam Plant had a pair of helpers and Andy Desautels earned the win in net.

Mennear says the team got off to a bit of a slow start but has found its energy in the last few games.

"It was a rough start to the season," he said. "I think our team has found our legs and the chemistry is getting better so hopefully we can keep it going."

Up next for the Warriors is a home and home set with Salmon Arm this weekend as the two teams play Friday night at Royal LePage Place and Saturday night in Salmon Arm. The Silverbacks are off to a 2-1-0-1 start.