Western News Staff The Okanagan Division’s top teams, the Osoyoos Coyotes and Summerland Steam, had differing results on the weekend.
The Steam earned a split after starting with a 2-1 loss to the Kamloops Storm at McArthur Park Arena on Oct.16. After a scoreless first period, the Storm scored both of their goals in the middle frame. The Steam’s lone goal was scored by Jarrett Malchow from Cole Williams and Adam Jones at the 11-minute mark. The Steam edged the Storm in shots 28-27 and neither team was able to take advantage of their power-plays. Matthew Huber finished with 25 saves for the Steam. On Oct. 18, the Steam cruised past the Princeton Posse 8-0. Huber faced 12 shots, while Malchow scored the first goal at 8:11 of the first period. Cole Williams led the Steam with a hat-trick, while Jones, Calvin Hadley, Wyatt Gale and Cody Egilson scored. Malchow and Wyatt Gale collected three assists. This weekend the Steam host the Kelowna Chiefs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, then travel to Kelowna on Oct. 24 to complete the home-and-home affair. The Steam sit second in the Okanagan Division with a 7-6-0-0 record. They are one point behind the Coyotes in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League standings.
After handing the Summerland Steam a 7-2 loss on Oct.14, the Osoyoos Coyotes lost back-to-back games on the road last weekend. In 100 Mile House, the Wranglers topped the Coyotes 3-2, netting the winner on the power-play with 2:48 remaining in the game. The Coyotes opened the score at 17:08 of the first on a setup by Reid Wilson and Hunter Johnson. The Wranglers then scored back-to-back goals for the lead. Levi Morin put the Coyotes back on even terms at 11:43 on the power-play. Adam Jones made 14 saves in the loss. In Chase against the Heat, the Coyotes lost 2-1. The Coyotes opened the scoring at 16:49 of the first period, then the Heat tied it on a goal by Braden Hughes late in the first and potted the winner at 13:48 of the second period. Jones finished with 18 saves, while Nic Bruyere turned aside 39. The Coyotes are first in the Okanagan Division with a 7-4-0-1 record.