Two third period goals just 21 seconds apart held up for the Kelowna Chiefs, who shaded the Osoyoos Coyotes 2-1 on Saturday night in Rutland.
The teams were scoreless through two periods before the Chiefs finally broke through on the powerplay, 6:40 into the third. Hunter Arnsten lost track of a bouncing puck that found its way past him.
One shift later, Kelowna quickly built a 2-0 lead.
Physical and mental fatigue, following a lengthy road trip to 100 Mile House the night before, seemed to be setting in on the Coyotes. However, Osoyoos made it interesting when Austin Cooper converted a breakaway with only 1:40 remaining in regulation time.
With Arntsen on the bench in favour of an extra attacker in the dying seconds, the Coyotes pressed hard but couldn’t get the equalizer.
The Chiefs outshot Osoyoos 39-28, including 15-7 over the final 20 minutes.
Hunter Arnsten was again solid in net despite the loss.
Opening weekend saw the Osoyoos Coyotes split their first two games of the new season.
Next weekend consists of a couple more away from home, Friday night (Sept. 27th) at Williams Lake and Saturday night (Sept. 28th) in Quesnel.
