West Kelowna Warriors open a three game road trip tonight in Trail

Photo: Tami Quan

Chase Dafoe

The West Kelowna Warriors hit the road today for a four day, three game road trip through the Kootenays.

The Warriors kick off the trip tonight in Trail before heading east to face the Cranbrook Bucks Friday and Saturday.

The weekend games mark the first time the Warriors and Bucks have faced each other since Cranbrook was awarded an expansion franchise prior to the start of last year's shortened season.

The Warriors come into the week riding a bit of a high after opening the season with a thrilling 5-3 win over Prince George Saturday night.

The Smokies and Bucks are both 1-1 after splitting a home-and-home series on the weekend.

"I like these road trips early in the season," said Warriors assistant coach Ayrton Nikkel.

"They bring the guys together. They get to know each other just a little more."

The Warriors will try and snap a seven game losing streak to the Smoke Eaters dating back to February of 2019.

The Smoke Eaters scored three of their six goals on the power play, prompting Nikkel to say the path to success on the trip is to stay disciplined and stay out of the penalty box.

Wednesday's game also marks the return of Chase Dafoe to Trail.

Dafoe spent three seasons in Trail, serving as captain last season.

The Warriors will be without forward Riley Sharun for the first two games of the trip.

Sharun was suspended two games after receiving a major penalty for a blow to the head and game misconduct late in Saturday's win.