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Steam, Coyotes earn splits in KI action

Steam earns split in weekend matches with Chase and 100 Mile House

After winning nine of their last 10 games, the Summerland Steam tasted defeat Friday night at the hands of the Chase Heat, 4-3. The Steam held leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but were unable to hang on late in the third. Chase defenceman Wesley Matsuda was able to take advantage of a defensive mistake for the equalizer, and a late power play goal from Heat captain Kaleb Boyle with 2:35 to play stood as the winner. The Steam outshot the Heat 41-19, but were foiled in the final minutes by goaltender Michael Byer. Jack Mills recorded a goal and an assist for the Steam while Nelson Hurry and Cole Woodliffe added the other goals.

Saturday was a different story for the Steam as they hosted the 100 Mile House Wranglers for the only time this season. Summerland opened the scoring courtesy of Jack Mills, while outshooting the Wranglers 18-1 in the first period. Riley Pettitt scored his first of two with 4:05 to play in the first to extend the lead to 2-0. Pettitt’s first goal was assisted by Jarrett Malchow and Wyatt Gale, who all hail from Whitehorse, Yukon, and have played most of their minor and junior hockey together. Pettitt would get his second marker on a second period power play with a great shot off the wall to make it 3-0. Not long after, the Wranglers cut the lead to two on a hard wrister from Tyler Garcia that beat Brett Huber high over the glove. That’s as close as the Wranglers got in a game that was well played and extremely physical.

Summerland will use this week to prepare for the Princeton Posse as the two teams play a home and home series next weekend on Friday in Princeton and on Saturday in Summerland. The Steam are 20-9-0-1 on the season and second in the Okanagan Division.

Coyotes down Posse

The Osoyoos Coyotes picked up a split on the weekend. They defeated the host Princeton Posse 4-1 on Dec. 12. After the Posse opened the scoring early in the first period, the Coyotes got the equalizer thanks to Colten Braid five minutes into the second period. The Coyotes then added three more in the third on goals by Blake Holowaty, Braid with his second, and Ryan Roseboom. Brett Soles made 28 saves for his fifth win with the Coyotes. On Saturday, the Coyotes were blanked 2-0 by the Kelowna Chiefs. Soles made 31 saves in the loss. The Coyotes are now 26-6-0-1 for first in the Okanagan Division.