Heading into the final weekend of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season, the Summerland Steam were set to play two games with divisional opponents to get tuned up for the playoffs. On Friday, night the Steam hosted the Osoyoos Coyotes and lost 3-1 at the hands of the league champs. Daylan Robertson tallied the lone goal, while Jackson Glimpel, Luc Gradisar and Troy Maclise scored for the Coyotes.
On Saturday, night the Steam travelled to Kelowna to complete the regular season schedule against the Chiefs. The Chiefs came out on top 3-1 as the Coyotes did the night before. Kevin Roth netted two for the Chiefs while Nick Josephs sealed the victory into an empty net in the final minute. Jack Mills the Steam’s only goal off a rebound off a Cole Woodliffe shot near the midway mark of the second period.
Saturday’s meeting between the Steam and Chiefs would turn into an early playoff preview. Kelowna’s win sealed third for them in the Okanagan Division and a first round date with the Steam starting Feb. 20 at the Summerland Arena. The Steam and the Chiefs will play four games in five nights to start the playoff series as Games 1 and 2 go in Summerland on Feb. 20-21, while Games 3 and 4 go in Kelowna at the Rutland Arena on Feb. 22-24. If necessary, Game 5 will go Feb. 26 at the Summerland arena.
In Osoyoos, the Coyotes wrapped up the season with a pair of wins, 3-1 against the Steam and 6-2 over the North Okanagan Knights on Feb. 14. Jackson Glimpel netted the winner in the second period, while Brett Soles made 15 saves. Also scoring for the Coyotes were Bailey Shaver, Aaron Azevedo, Troy Maclise, Colin Bell and Brett Jewell. The Coyotes finished atop of the KIJHL with 42 wins, seven losses, two ties and one overtime loss for 87 points.
