Tanner Burns scored twice as the North Okanagan Knights stopped the Revelstoke Grizzlies 5-2 Wednesday night at the Armstrong Nor-Val Sports Centre.
Burns, who earned second star, now has eight goals on the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season. The Knights improved to 17-9-0-1, good for third spot in the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference.
The Knights, who are tied for seventh overall with the Kimberley Dynamiters in the 20-team loop, visit the 11-14-0-1 Kelowna Chiefs tonight.
Patrick Chore, with his team-leading 18th goal of the year, first star Brett Hawrys, with his fifth, and defenceman Brady Janzen, with his second, completed the Knights’ offence.
Vernon products Tye Sanford (8th) and Michael Roberts (12th) gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead until Burns converted from Mateja Leko and Harlan Orr (Vernon call-up from the Okanagan Major Midget Rockets) at 7:13 of the second period.
Chore’s powerplay goal at 12:54 of the second period was the equalizer, while Hawrys netted the winner with 4:37 left in the period.
Revelstoke, who are two points ahead of the Knights, held a 32-20 shot advantage. Dustin Nikkel took the win, going to 8-3 with a 2.81 GAA. Ethan Wood was in net for the Grizz.
The Knights, whose next home game is Wednesday against the Sicamous Eagles, brought up d-man Ryan Beach from the Vernon Midget Tier 1 Vipers and gave him spot duty.
In other action, Vernon’s Mitchell Hewson pocketed three assists and earned second star as the host Princeton Posse brushed back the Summerland Steam 7-6.
Hewson drew the primary assist on Eric Kubis’ winner 47 seconds into OT and helped force the extra period by assisting on Tom Kempinski’s equalizer with 7:03 to play.
The Penticton Lakers shaded the Osoyoos Coyotes 2-1, while Kimberley crushed the Columbia Valley Rockies 10-3.
