They are 2-8 in their last 10 games and surrendered 20 goals in three weekend losses.
North Okanagan Knights’ head coach Shawn Webb isn’t calling the Hockey Crisis Line just yet. He believes the Knights can find their way in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
The Knights lost 8-4 to the Princeton Posse in a Sunday matinee after falling 7-2 to the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks Saturday night, both at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
“We had a meeting and told the guys we’re really comfortable with this group; we’re not going to blow this team up,” said Webb. “The beautiful thing is it’s all on us. It’s very fixable and it’s just a matter of consistency. We’re good, but we’re not 60 minutes good. We give an inch and there’s not a team in this league that won’t take a mile.”
The Knights’ talented but young back end is struggling to make good first passes out of the zone and the forwards are getting frustrated. Webb says the goal is to be five games over .500 by the Christmas break.
The Knights (8-9-0-1) welcomed back veteran forward Tanner Burns, but lost d-man Ryley Booth with a separated shoulder in Friday’s 5-4 loss to Revelstoke, and forward Logan Mostat to a concussion while up with the BCHL Salmon Arm SilverBacks. Rookie forward Tyler Godberson of Calgary requested and was granted his release.
Californian Kurtis Klinger counted the powerplay hat trick for Princeton, giving him eight goals on the year.
The Posse had a dozen powerplays.
Eric Schmidt, Destin Robinson, Kraig Leochko, Devan Suidy and Eden Dubchak added singles for the 6-10-0-1 Posse, who entered the game tied for last overall in the KIJHL with the Spokane Braves.
Captain TJ Christensen (2nd), Blake Culbert (3rd), Matt Halverson (2nd) and Mat Lambert (9th) replied for the Knights.
Princeton outshot North Okanagan 50-36 with Spencer Huff earning the win. Mitch Profeit relieved Zach Dyment shortly after Princeton’s fourth goal of the opening period. The Posse are 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Newcomer Braden Fuller, an 18-year-old out of Grande Prairie, pulled the hat trick for Beaver Valley (11-5-1-1), second in the Neil Murdoch Division behind undefeated Nelson Leafs.
Dallas Calvin, who left the Vernon Vipers six weeks ago, added a deuce, while Sam Barker and Russell Mortlock supplied singles. Calvin has 10 goals and 21 points in 11 games.
The Nite Hawks were 3-for-7 with the man advantage, the Knights 1-for-5.
Morgan Johnston (5th) and Burns (4th), countered for the Knights.
Beaver Valley outshot North Okanagan 42-32 with Grayson Sharpe earning the win. Dyment went the distance for the Knights.
The Knights entertain the Okanagan Division-leading Kelowna Chiefs (14-4-0-1) Friday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre. Nick Josephs of the Chiefs leads the KIJHL with 24 goals and 44 points.
Kelowna is second overall behind Nelson (15-0-1-1) after doubling the Grizzlies 8-4 Saturday night in Rutland.
Vernon products Devon Hascarl and Chad Thomas both scored for Revelstoke.
