Following Saturday night’s 5-1 setback in North Okanagan, Osoyoos must now win four of the next five games to extend its season. The loss puts the Coyotes down 2-0 in their Bill Ohlhausen Division, Best-of-Seven, Semi-Final Playoff Series.
Osoyoos trailed 1-0 after the first period and the teams played a scoreless second period. However, the wheels fell off in the third when the Knights tallied three times in just under five minutes to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
Logan Messer spoiled North Okanagan’s shutout bid with 2:01 remaining, notching his second of the post-season, a six-on-four man advantage marker with Hunter Arntsen on the bench for an extra attacker.
A short time later, the Knights got a fifth goal into an empty net.
The Coyotes stepped up their game in the second period on the heels of an abysmal opening 20-minutes, which saw them outshot 14-6. Final shots were 44-37 in favour of North Okanagan.
It’s hard to win a hockey game when you really only make an appearance for one period. Add to that a dysfunctional powerplay that went one for nine and you don’t have much of a recipe for success.
Valley First is the sponsor for Game Three of the series on Monday night (Feb. 26th), back at the Sun Bowl Arena. Start time is 7:30. Spectators attending the game are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation in support of the Osoyoos Food Bank. All those who do will be entered in draws for an Osoyoos Coyotes vintage game jersey and gift cards from Valley First.
Game Four goes the next night, Tuesday (Feb.27th), also in Osoyoos, getting underway at 8:00 o’clock.
