Jagger Bowles’ goal for the Kelowna Chiefs was all the road team needed to defeat the Penticton Lakers in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action.
Bowles scored 40 seconds into the first period then teammate Dylan Jamieson added to it giving the Chiefs a 2-0 lead after one period. In the second, the Chiefs doubled their lead, despite being outshot by the Lakers 13-11, on goals by Braeden Hikichi on the power play and Scott Renner. That was the end of the night for the Lakers’ Niall McGregor between the pipes. He finished with 25 saves and was replaced by Stephen Yesavage in the third period, who turned aside all 13 shots faced. Kenny Fitzgerald stopped 24 shots for the shutout and earned it with one big save just before the buzzer.
The Lakers next game is Friday in Princeton when they face the Posse. Their next home game is Feb. 6 against the Osoyoos Coyotes. The Lakers trail the Summerland Steam by 14 points for the final playoff spot and have seven games remaining in the regular season.
