Coyote Kenny Orlando (No.10) appeared to be flying like Superman after scoring the tying goal in last Wednesday’s game against Kelowna. The Coyotes were down 3-0 at one point, but they quickly came back to tie the game in the second period. Their momentum didn’t last – after a scoreless third period, Kelowna won the game 4-3 in overtime. Photo by Richard McGuire.
The Osoyoos Coyotes won a resounding victory over the Princeton Posse in Oliver Saturday night, but suffered two overtime defeats at the hands of the division-leading Kelowna Chiefs.
The overtime losses continue a pattern that started Dec. 14 when the Coyotes also lost in overtime to Kelowna. Since then, six games have gone into overtime and the Coyotes have lost all but one of those.
The Coyotes pick up a point each for their overtime losses, but Kelowna’s wins gave them an extra two points, placing the Chiefs two points ahead of the Coyotes in Okanagan Shuswap Division standings in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
In a home game Jan. 16, the Coyotes bounced back from a three-goal deficit in the second period to tie the game, scoring three goals in less than six minutes.
Alex Grupe sparked the comeback for the Coyotes with a goal at 4:01 into the second period. This followed three quick goals by the Chiefs in the space of just over two minutes. Grupe’s goal came just 11 seconds after the third Kelowna goal.
Grupe also assisted on a second Coyotes goal scored by Scott Folden with 13:49 remaining in the period.
The most spectacular goal was scored by Kenny Orlando, who dodged his way past the Kelowna defence, practically skated with the puck into net, and ended it by flying over a stunned goalie Kenny Fitzgerald.
Neither team managed to score in the third period, but Kelowna scored the game winner 3:50 into overtime.
In Saturday’s game against Princeton in Oliver, the Coyotes played a strong second period, scoring four goals while holding the Posse to the three they got in the first period. By the end of the second period, Osoyoos led 8-3.
The Coyotes also dominated shots on goal in the first two periods, outshooting the visitors 58-36.
In the third period, however, the Coyotes eased up, continuing their pattern of playing weaker third periods. Princeton outscored Osoyoos 2-1, outshot them 18-17, and Osoyoos had trouble keeping the puck out of their end.
Grupe played another strong game, picking up a hat trick and an assist. Other Coyote goals were scored by Garrett Kucher (two goals), Folden, Troy Maclise, Liam Neary and Taylor Jordan.
On Sunday in Kelowna, the Coyotes opened the scoring, and ended the second period up 4-2.
Once again though, they failed to carry the momentum into the third period and the Chiefs added two goals to tie the game.
Then, with 53 seconds remaining in a five-minute overtime period, Kelowna scored the game winner.
Osoyoos goals were scored by Kucher, Jordan, Evan Last and Grupe.
The Coyotes play again on home ice Saturday when they face the Summerland Steam. This is followed by another home game at the Sun Bowl Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 30 when the Princeton Posse return.
