A pair of first-period goals by Matty Saharchuk helped the North Okanagan Knights ground the Revelstoke Grizzlies 5-2 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The Kelowna native recorded his team-leading 25th and 26th snipes, opening the scoring on a powerplay at 7:42, and converting again two minutes later at even strength.
TJ Christensen (12th goal) and Brayden Beckley (18th) responded for the 24-20-3-1 Grizzlies later in the first period, but Derek Andrews, who leads the 33-13-1-2 Knights with 57 points, pocketed his 16th goal to give his team a 3-2 lead at the intermission.
After a scoreless second period, the Knights put the game away with singles from Colton Thibault (13th) and Morgan Johnston (18th).
Defenceman David London recorded a pair of assists in support of netminder Austin Buzzell (23 saves).
Vernon’s Aaron Brandoli made 33 stops for the Grizz.
The Knights, are a point back of the first-overall Castlegar Rebels (31-9-6-2), visited the Sicamous Eagles (29-13-2-4) Saturday in the Shuswap.
