The Osoyoos Coyotes shaded the North Okanagan Knights 3-2 in overtime Tuesday night at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
Osoyoos, who finished 43 points ahead of the Knights in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Okanagan Division, used a goal from Colin Bell at 9:38 of OT to win the series in four straight games.
Judd Repole and Austin Steger supplied power play goals in regulation for Osoyoos, while Kyle Sherwood and Dean Whitcomb replied for the Knights. Steger’s snipe levelled things at 2-2 at 13:05 of the third period.
Osoyoos outshot North Okanagan 33-27 with Adam Jones going the distance. Daniel Paul suffered the loss in front of 175 fans.
Repole was named the Coyotes’ game star, while 20-year-old captain and d-man Layne Greene took similar honours for the Knights.
Osoyoos will meet either the Kelowna Chiefs or Summerland Steam in second-round playoff action.
Jason Village bagged a deuce, while Joel Scrimbit pocketed 1+3 as Kelowna upended Summerland 7-4 Tuesday night to square the series at 2-2. Josh Kobelka added 1+2 for the Chiefs before 355 fans in Rutland.
