The last weeks of the Kootenay International Hockey League’s regular season have different meanings for the North Okanagan Knights and Chase Heat.
The Knights (13-26-3-5), will finish fourth in the Okanagan Division and will play the Osoyoos Coyotes in the first round of the playoffs.
The Heat, 3-1 winners over the Knights Friday night at the Nor-Val Sports Centre, have a slim shot of finishing second in the Doug Birk Division and home ice advantage in round one.
Chase’s win Friday left the Heat (28-15-3-2) seven points behind the 100 Mile House Wranglers (3-2 winners Friday over the Sicamous Eagles) and eight behind the Kamloops Storm (who beat Revelstoke 4-1) with only four games left.
Tommy Brown and Michael Fidanza staked Chase to a 2-0 first-period lead Friday.
Brady Marzocco, with his third of the year, cut the lead to 2-1 with five minutes left in the second period.
Travis Beaubien, on a powerplay 4:22 into the third period, gave the Heat some insurance.
Daniel Paul made 27 saves for the Knights, who were outshot 30-25. Nic Bruyere picked up the win for the Heat.
The Knights, who took on the Summerland Steam Saturday, wrap up three games in three days at home this afternoon against the Princeton Posse.
Face-off is 1 p.m. at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
