The Osoyoos Coyotes kept their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff hopes alive with a 3-1 win over the host North Okanagan Knights Thursday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The Coyotes, who trail North Okanagan 3-2 in the best-of-seven Okanagan/Shuswap Conference final, entertain the Knights in Game 6 tonight at the Sun Bowl. If necessary, Game 7 would go Sunday night (7:30) in Armstrong.
For the second straight game, the Knights scored in the opening minute as Matty Saharchuk converted on a powerplay at the 49-second mark.
The Coyotes’ Garrett Kucher equalized less than four minutes later in front of 500 fans. First star Brandon Watson netted the winner in the second period, and Troy Maclise added an empty-netter in the final second.
North Okanagan keeper Dustin Nikkel earned second star for his 45-save performance. Jesse Gordichuk made 28 stops for Osoyoos.
Check out Sunday sports in the Morning Star for a full recap of Games 5 and 6.
