Morning Star Staff
Cole Zimmerman’s goal 16 seconds into the third period gave the 100 Mile House Wranglers a 4-1 win over the North Okanagan Knights in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Saturday night at Armstrong’s Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The loss extended the Knights’ (3-14-1-3) winless streak to 14 games.
“Once again, we played well enough to win but we’re just not winning,” said Knights head coach Bryant Perrier.
“We outshot them (42-31), outchecked them and outchanced them. We had momentum going into the third period, but then we had five guys out there at the start of the third period not ready to play. We make a mistake and it ends up in the back of our net.”
Kolby Page gave the visitors a 1-0 lead halfway through the opening period with that goal sticking until Zimmerman’s marker.
North Okanagan game star Austin Fournier pulled the Knights to within one at 6:24 on the powerplay, set up by Graham Watkins and Liam Molloy. It was Fournier’s team-leading sixth goal.
The Wranglers, who lead the Doug Birks Division at 14-4-0-2, restored their two-goal cushion less than two minutes later on a goal by game star Nick McCabe, with the man advantage.
Zimmerman added his second of the night into an empty net with 34 seconds left. Tristan Quiring made 27 saves for the Knights.
“We’re not throwing in the towel,” said Perrier. “We need to figure out how to quit kicking at the door, and get someone in here who will kick the bloody door in.”
The Knights host Spokane Braves (3-15-0-4) Saturday night.
p.m. at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
North Okanagan beat Spokane 4-3 in overtime on Sept. 12.
The Knights visit the Kelowna Chiefs Sunday.
