With scoring leader Patrick Chore carded by the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings, the North Okanagan Knights didn’t have to look far for offensive support Sunday night.
Twin brother Eric Chore fired a pair of goals, including the double-overtime winner, as the Knights outlasted the host Kamloops Storm 3-2 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action at McArthur Park Arena.
In OT, the Knights went on a 4-on-3 powerplay after Kamloops earned a minor for too many men. Defenceman Nathan Browne snuck down low and fed the puck back to Tanner Burns, who set up Eric’s winner on a back-door play.
“It wasn’t quite what I envisioned but they looked like they knew what they were doing and the execution was there,” smiled head coach Kris Mallette, who had a different play drawn up on the chalkboard after he called an OT timeout.
North Okanagan, now 20-10-0-1, visit the Revelstoke Grizzlies (21-6-0-2) tonight at the Forum. The Knights trail the Grizz by just three points in the Okanagan Shuswap Conference Doug Birks Division.
Mateja Leko, pulling a spin-o-rama move, put the Knights on the board at the four-minute mark before the league-leading Storm (24-5-1-3) responded with a goal from Colten DeFrias.
Eric restored North Okanagan’s late in the first frame, assisted by Burns and captain Steven Pantalozpoulos. Trailing by a goal heading into the third period, the Storm forced OT on a goal by sniper Tyler Jackson midway through the period.
“For us to stick with it showed a lot of character. We played a very disciplined style the whole game,” said Mallette.
Netminder Dustin Nikkel posted 40 saves to earn third star and his 12th win. Three of Kamloops’ five losses have come against North Okanagan.
Meanwhile, Patrick earned an assist as the Spruce Kings clipped the host Salmon Arm SilverBacks 4-1 in BCHL action Sunday at the Shaw Centre (formerly Sunwave Centre).
