Weary after nine games in 15 days, the North Okanagan Knights took a little time off and it showed in a 4-3 win over the host Summerland Steam Wednesday night.
The Knights are 22-23-0-2 and have all but clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the KIJHL’s Okanagan Division.
“We were done so I cancelled Monday’s practice and our usual pre-day skate Wednesday,” said Knights’ head coach Shawn Webb. “Our APs (affiliates) played a high-energy style which we were looking for.”
Brothers Ryan and Cole Clifford of Kamloops (Thompson Midget Blazers) and Carson Richards of the Vernon Midget Tier 1 Vipers all saw regular shifts up front with Blake Culbert on injured reserve and Tanner Burns serving a one-game suspension for too many fights.
Brett Hawrys scored his 15th and 16th goals of the year, his second a beauty as he riverdanced in tight. Dennon Leibel and d-man Mathew Halvorson fed Hawrys for a back-door snipe to open the scoring.
Halvorson returned after two months on IR and scored his third, on a first-period powerplay. Morgan Johnston and Logan Geefs earned assists.
Captain TJ Christensen netted the winner, showing magic hands on a toe drag before going roof daddy on Darren Hogg with one second left. Ryley Booth assisted.
Zach Dyment was marvellous in net, stopping 33 Steam shots.
