The North Okanagan Knights shaded Vernon Interior Savings Tigers 2-1 in North Okanagan Bantam Hockey Super League exhibition action Sunday at Priest Valley Arena.
Devon Rempel’s wrist shot, top corner with 5:49 left in the second period, snapped a 1-1 tie and stood up as the winner.
Wesley Graves gave the Knights a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game before Evan Trottier tied things up with two minutes left in the opening frame, on a set up from Michael Pusey, for Interior Savings.
Goaltending was a big factor for both teams as Sam Knox and Caeden Bellmann were solid for the Tigers, while Wyatt Fowler made a number of key saves late, including stopping Reece Hawthorne on a partial breakaway, for the Knights.
Brayden Beacom and Reid Lawrence each pulled hat tricks as Vernon Five Star Awards Coyotes outlasted the host Winfield Bruins 9-7 in Bantam play Saturday night.
Beacom rang up his hatty in the second period with Chapperon Chillihitzia and Lawrence adding singles.
The Bruins scored two quick goals early in the third period to make it 5-5 before Lawrence scored on a nifty slow-motion penalty shot at 13:40 to give Five Star Awards the lead.
The Bruins tied it 67 seconds later before Jadon Foster, unassisted, gave Vernon the lead again at 9:21. Elias Wery, on a beauty breakaway pass from Beacom, gave Vernon an 8-6 margin.
The Bruins pulled within a goal with 3:18 remaining and pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with just over a minute left. Five Star Awards goalie Jordan Foster made some timely saves until Lawrence made an accurate shot into an empty net.
Said Vernon coaches Paul Wery and Dan Wilson: “We’re pleased at the way all of our players can play any position they are called upon. We have a lot of team depth this year.”
The Lumby Tirecraft Lakers stopped Merritt 6-1 in Female Bantam/Midget action.
Last week’s Hard Worker winner, Maddie Johnson, was busy in net despite the lopsided score. Wynter Vanderveen, named Hard Worker for the game, had a goal and an assist.
Carly Southam and Alyssa and Emma Carter also each had a goal and an assist. Josey Nerling and Chelsea Marshall added a goal apiece.
Strong games were turned in by Taylor Cousins, (2A) and Vanessa Yaremcio (1A). The Lakers gave a big shout out to Warren Carter for 10 minutes of stellar refereeing. North Okanagan Super League regular-season play opens this weekend.
