The North Okanagan Knights’ offence continued to struggle in a 3-0 loss to the host Princeton Posse Wednesday night.
The Knights, second-to-last in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League at 2-6-0-2, have the worst offence (1.60 goals-for average) in the 20-team loop. North Okanagan has managed more than two goals only twice this season.
Things won’t get any easier tonight when the Knights entertain the league co-leading Kamloops Storm (8-4-0-1), 7:30, at Nor-Val Sports Centre. They head back to Princeton for a rematch with the Posse Saturday.
“The mood overall is good. I think they’re ready to bounce back,” said Knights’ head coach Jim Armstrong.
“The guys need to keep it relaxed and keep it fun. We’re worried about scoring goals instead of going out and just creating things. It’s just getting a mind-set of getting pucks to the net..”
The Knights kept it scoreless going into the second period before Destin Robinson opened the scoring for Princeton (6-3-1-2) 5:56 into the frame.
“We’ve been working hard on our offensive game and it showed in the first period,” said Armstrong. “We hemmed them in hard and had good pressure. We came out in the second and for whatever reason the hunger and desire wasn’t there.”
Colton St John added two more goals in period three, including an empty netter with 27 seconds to play.
Stephen Heslop recorded 17 saves for his first shutout of the season. Mitch Profeit made 30 saves for the Knights.
ICE CHIPS: Defenceman Austin Garrington and forward Logan Geefs, both Vernon products, were named assistant captains this week. Garrington (1-6-7 in 10 games) and Geefs (2-4-6 in 10 games) are one-two in Knights’ scoring.
