The North Okanagan Atom Black Knights completed a threepeat by stopping the Kelowna Quicksilver 7-3 in Sunday’s final of the Osoyoos Atom Rec Hockey Tournament.
The Knights, coached by Randy Zbytnuik, Luke Burton and James Simpson, claimed their third tourney title of the season. Derek Gilowski, assisted by Devin Jameson, opened the North Okanagan offence. Easton Hunter connected once on a wicked slapper and once on a rush into an empty net. Saul Saunders also scored twice, while Mason Simpson and Caleb Vanderkooi added singles.
In the semifinals Sunday morning, the Black Knights iced the M&K Ready-Mix Demons of Vernon 6-1 with Hunter (3), Saunders (2) and Gilowski finding the net. Haille Minamide, Ty Gore and Ethan Lavoie had clutch assists.
Thomas Burton stopped 27 shots for the win, only allowing a snipe by Ronan Bedard.
The Black Knights opened with a 4-2 loss to the Quicksilver with Jordan Zbytnuik scoring once and assisting on Vanderkooi’s goal.
North Okanagan rebounded by grounding the Abbotsford Vipers 6-1 early Saturday morning. Hunter, with a deuce, Saunders, Gilowski, Darius Makse and Zbytnuik handled the Black Knights’ attack. Cale Henderson, Gore and Austin Dubland chipped in with assists.
The Knights ambushed the Kamloops Hurricanes 10-1 Saturday afternoon behind four goals from Saunders and two from Hunter. Singles went to Vanderkooi, Marlea Best, Gilowski, Zbytnuik. Simpson had two helpers.
The Demons opened by slamming the Summerland Jets 12-2 behind four-goal showings from Kevin Morgan and Gage Stoll. Shaelyn Cecchini (1+2), Jordyn Morris, Christopher Bond and Bedard rounded out the attack. Ty Louis had two helpers.
Game 2 saw the Demons storm the Okanagan Rattlers 9-1 with Morgan, Dawson Martian and Morris each bagging a brace. Stoll, Cecchini, Bond and Ryan Vandesande had singles.
Vandesande wired the winner, his second of the game, as the Demons clipped the Langley Eagles 4-3 with Bedard, Cecchini and Morgan also tallying
The Demons blitzed the Abbotsford Nighthawks 6-0 for the bronze medal behind four goals from Cecchini.
Vandesande and Bond collected singles, while Tyler Hamilton and Kassidy Schaper-Kotter shared the shutout.
Game MVPs went to Morgan, Louis and Kassidy Schaper-Kotter in the round-robin.
“The kids came and played their hearts out and I’m thrilled with the effort they put forth.” said M&K head coach Mike Stoll. “They played beautifully as a team and gave great support. They all contributed.”
