After a slow start, the North Okanagan Knights are marching in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Okanagan/Shuswap Conference final.
Rebounding from a series opening loss, the Knights stuffed the Osoyoos Coyotes 5-1 in Game 2 Saturday night in Armstrong, and followed that with a 5-0 win in Game 3 Monday at the Sun Bowl.
Game 4 of their best-of-seven set goes tonight in Osoyoos. Game 5 is slated for Thursday night (7:00) at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
Connor Richards, Nathan Browne, David London, Anthony Ruggerio and Colton Thibault handled the Knights’ offence Monday in front of Dustin Nikkel (22 saves).
Browne and London scored on the man advantage as North Okanagan went 2-for-11. The Coyotes went 0-for-2. Jesse Gordichuk made 31 stops for Osoyoos.
Brett Hawrys pocketed two assists and earned first star for the second straight game.
Hawrys netted 2+1 in Game 2, with other Knights’ offence coming from call-up Blaine Caton, Steve Pantazopoulos, Mat Lambert and Owen Barker. Troy Maclise handled Osoyoos’ scoring in front of Gordichuk (36 saves).
Nikkel had 25 stops.
Check out Wednesday sports in The Morning Star for a full recap of Games 2 and 3.
