The Posse skated to a 5-2 victory over Kelowna Friday, Feb. 23, in the first game of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Teck Cup playoffs.
Nearly 500 people packed the Princeton and District Arena for opening night, and few left disappointed in the intensity of play.
The first period was tight until Princeton’s Tyson Horiachka scored with less than five minutes in the frame, assisted by Kyle Schechtel.
That was almost immediately answered by Matt Keylor for the Chiefs, on the power play, and the teams headed to the dressing rooms tied at one.
Anmol Garcha put Princeton ahead early in the second period, with help from Ty Russell and Nathan Scott.
Kelowna came back quickly with another power play marker to tie the game again, courtesy of Jaxson Rebman, and the teams played scoreless for ten minutes while tension was building in the Princeton barn.
To close out the period Princeton’s Lucas Sadownyk capitalized on the power play, assisted by Justice Loewen and Russell, putting Princeton ahead once more.
Justice Loewen provided the Posse with an insurance goal, early in the third frame, with Bryton Morrow and Curtis Gould assisting.
Vinay Junek, with assists going to Russell and Scott, potted an empty-netter with eight seconds on the clock.
Princeton out-shot Kelowna 42-22 , and net-minder Joey Hawco made 20 saves.
The Posse and the Chiefs wrangle again tonight, Saturday Feb. 24, in the Princeton barn, with the puck drop at 7 p.m.
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