Vancouver Warriors beat Las Vegas Desert Dogs for first win of the season

JEN FIELD/GATG

On December 13, the Vancouver Warriors faced off against Las Vegas Desert Dogs for their week 3 matchup. After a tough loss on opening night, the Warriors fought hard to get their first win of the season, beating the Desert Dogs 15-9.

This was the Warriors second game of the season after a bye-week last week, and the Desert Dogs first game of the season. Expecting to face an energetic Desert Dogs team, it was important for the Warriors to start the game strong.

Not even a minute into the first quarter the Warriors took a penalty, sending the Desert Dogs to the powerplay. That didn’t stop them, and on their first shot of the game, Jesse King scored a shorthanded goal. On the same powerplay, the Desert Dogs evened the score 1-1.

The Warriors scored 2 more in the first quarter to give them a 3-1 lead.

The second quarter saw the Warriors extend their lead with 4 more goals, all of which came from different players.

Curtis Dickson extended the lead 4-1 before the Desert Dogs got one back. Payton Cormier and Marcus Klarich, scored 30 seconds apart for a 6-2 lead. Keegan Bal got his second of the game for a 7-2 lead at half.

The scoring continued for the Warriors in the third quarter.

Adam Charalambides' first goal of the game triggered the teddy bears to rain down in Roger’s Arena as a part of the Warriors first ever teddy bear toss during First Nations night.

Tyler Garrison, Shane Simpson, and Ryan Sheridan also scored their first of the night. Charalambides scored again in the quarter, and Bal and Dickson also continued their scoring ways for a 14-5 lead with 1 quarter remaining.

The Desert Dogs pushed early in the fourth, scoring 2 goals within the first minute of play and 2 more to get the score to 14-9.

The Warriors fought back and Bal scored the last goal of the game with under a minute left.

The Warriors defeated the Desert Dogs 15-9 for their first win of the season.

Next up, the Warriors play 2 games on the road against the Oshawa FireWolves and the Calgary Roughnecks.

They return to Rogers Arena on January 16, 2026  playing against the San Diego Seals on Country Night.