An anemic powerplay doesn’t seem to be hampering the North Okanagan Knights all that much.
Firing at just 9.38 per cent, second-worst in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, the Knights whiffed on eight powerplay attempts Friday night and still earned a 3-1 win over the Princeton Posse at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
“We had numerous chances on the powerplay and we couldn’t get out of our zone,” said head coach Kris Mallette.
“Our reaction time was late, and that’s what was frustrating for me. Our guys were waiting for things to happen rather than making it happen.”
Logan Mostat, a 15-year-old call-up from Salmon Arm’s Midget Tier 1 squad, scored on his fifth KIJHL shift for the 17-7-0-1 Knights, burying a post-and-in shot on a 2-on-1 with Tyler Bolduc.
“The kid plays with jam,” said Mallette, of Mostat. “He’s not a big kid, but he’s not afraid to stick ya.
“Even in camp he was a greasy little kid; he’s a disturber.”
Derek Andrews (7th goal) beat Phoenix Logan-Hill (23 saves)with a shot from the slot late in the second period for the 2-0 goal.
Tanner Burns (16th), assisted by Colton Thibault after a textbook breakout, put North Okanagan up by three goals early in the final period.
A Dryden Profeit brain cramp set up Kurtis Klinger for the 14-8-0-1 Posse’s lone goal, ending Austin Buzzell’s shutout bid.
Buzzel had 31 saves.
North Okanagan’s matinee today against the Sicamous Eagles has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict.
