The North Okanagan Knights’ water-pistol offence exploded for three goals Friday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
Unfortunately, that sudden surge was only good for one point as the Knights bowed 4-3 to the Kelowna Chiefs in overtime.
The Knights have the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s worst offence through six games, but host the goal-challenged Creston Valley Thunder Cats today (3 p.m.)
“We just can’t score,” sighed Knights’ head coach Jim Armstrong. “We had lots of chances tonight and it was our most complete game so far. On the overtime goal, we had a breakdown in our zone and the guy (Jonathan Lee) shot over (goalie Profeit) Mitch’s shoulder.”
Armstrong welcome gritty forward Curtis Sexsmith to the Knights and the Lumby product responded with a goal to spark a mini comeback in the third period.
“We traded futures to Princeton (Posse) to get Curtis,” said Armstrong. “He’s a kid who isn’t afraid to go into the dirty areas. I know him from coaching him in Midget and he’s really committed to playing here. He gave notice at his job in Princeton.”
Sexsmith converted, from Austin Garrington and Layne Greene, at 6:06 of the third. Dallas Keller levelled things at 3-3 just 35 seconds later, assisting going to Logan Geefs and Trent Redschlag.
Braeden Cyra, in the first period on a powerplay, and Ethan Rusnack, with six minutes left in the second, gave Kelowna (2-3-1) a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Austin Fournier countered for the Knights (1-3-0-2) on a powerplay six minutes into the third, from Dryden Profeit and Sexsmith.
“The kids showed a lot of character with that comeback,” said Armstrong. “We were missing our stud d-man Matt Halvorson (up with BCHL Vipers) and there were lots of good positives. Last game we had 14 shots and tonight, we had 37. Five-on-five, I thought we were the better team. Overall, I’m very happy.”
