It took almost 24 minutes for someone to score, but once he did the flood gates opened. Osoyoos and North Okanagan eventually combined for 11 goals, with the Coyotes coming out on top 6-5, Sunday night at the Sun Bowl Arena.
Ethan McKinley had two goals and two assists. Reese MacLean, Carter Yarish, Jack Pass (his first as a Coyote) and Jack Henderson recorded the other Osoyoos markers. Yarish also added three assists, while Henderson contributed two helpers.
Following a scoreless opening period, the teams were tied 2-2 after 40 minutes.
The Coyotes went back in front early in the third, only to see the Knights tally twice in just a-minute-24 to grab a 4-3 lead. Osoyoos potted the next three straight for a 6-4 advantage, before North Okanagan scored late to make it 6-5. The Knights pressed hard for the game tying goal with six attackers, however they couldn’t get the equalizer.
Kenny Gerow made a successful return from injury to pick up the win in net.
The Coyotes outshot North Okanagan 42-31, actually scoring four goals on just seven shots over the final 20 minutes.
The victory prevented Osoyoos from falling into fourth place in the Bill Ohlhausen Division. As it currently stands, the (10-6-3-0) Coyotes sit second, one point ahead of Summerland and now two points better than the Knights, while holding games in-hand on both.
It’ll be two extremes next weekend for the Osoyoos Coyotes, who visit the league worst Kelowna Chiefs on Friday night (Dec. 2nd), prior to returning home to host the KIJHL team with the best record, the Revelstoke Grizzlies, Saturday night (Dec. 3rd) at 7:35.
