Osoyoos Coyote Jackson DeMatos celebrates as he scores the Coyotes' third goal late in the first period of Saturday night' 7-2 victory over the Chase Heat. The goal, assisted by Luc Gradisar and Rainer Glimpel, turned out to be the game winner. DeMatos also scored a second unassisted goat and picked up an assist. (Richard McGuire photo)

Osoyoos Coyote Jackson DeMatos celebrates as he scores the Coyotes’ third goal late in the first period of Saturday night’ 7-2 victory over the Chase Heat. The goal, assisted by Luc Gradisar and Rainer Glimpel, turned out to be the game winner. DeMatos also scored a second unassisted goat and picked up an assist. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Osoyoos Coyotes kicked off the regular Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) season with a major bang this past weekend.

After thrashing North Okanagan Knights 11-0 on Friday night in Armstrong, the Coyotes returned to the Sun Bowl Arena for their home opener Saturday night and emerged with an impressive 7-2 victory.

This follows two wins and a tie in exhibition games.

While this season’s Coyote team has a number of rookies and is a young team, it also sees the return of some of last year’s strongest players.

Missing is last year’s captain and top scorer Colin Chmelka, but his linemates Aaron Azevedo and Troy Maclise are both back with Azevedo being named team captain by head coach and general manager Ken Law.

Other experienced forwards returning include Jackson DeMatos, Rainer Glimpel, Luc Gradisar and Colten Braid, all of whom performed well on opening weekend.

In Friday evening’s lopsided game in Armstrong, the Coyotes badly outplayed and outshot the home team.

Coyote goalie Lawrence Langan recorded the shutout, facing only 19 shots. This compares to 45 shots the Coyotes took on Knights goalies Mitch Profeit and backup Brady Lenardon, who each played about half the game.

Glimpel picked up two goals and an assist. Braid also scored two goals for the Coyotes.

Three of the Coyotes’ goals came on power plays and one of Glimpel’s goals came when the Coyotes’ were shorthanded.

In the home opener against Chase, DeMatos scored two goals and an assist. Glimpel and Gradisar each picked up one goal and two assists.

Maclise, Tyler Ostrom and Azevedo, who got the final goal of the game on a power play, scored other Coyotes’ goals.

The Coyotes next travel to Invermere on Friday night to face the Columbia Valley Rockies and then go on to Golden on Saturday to face the Rockets.

The next Coyote home game is Wednesday, Sept. 24 against Kelowna. Game time at the Sun Bowl Arena will be at 7:35 p.m.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times

Coyote Ryan Roseboom had a good scoring chance in the first period, but Chase goalie Michael Byer managed to fend off the attack. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Ryan Roseboom had a good scoring chance in the first period, but Chase goalie Michael Byer managed to fend off the attack. (Richard McGuire photo)

Osoyoos Coyote captain Aaron Azevedo faced down Chase goalie Michael Byer in the second period, but failed to score. It didn't matter -- Azevedo scored the Coyotes' seventh goal late in the game helping the team to a 7-2 victory. (Richard McGuire photo)

Osoyoos Coyote captain Aaron Azevedo faced down Chase goalie Michael Byer in the second period, but failed to score. It didn’t matter — Azevedo scored the Coyotes’ seventh goal late in the game helping the team to a 7-2 victory. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Ryan Roseboom struggles to keep his balance as he runs into Alex Durbeniuk of the Chase Heat in second period action on Saturday evening. Chase goalie Michael Byer managed to push the puck out of the way. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Ryan Roseboom struggles to keep his balance as he runs into Alex Durbeniuk of the Chase Heat in second period action on Saturday evening. Chase goalie Michael Byer managed to push the puck out of the way. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Ryan Roseboom (left) tries to take the puck away from Alex Durbeniuk of the Chase Heat in third period action Saturday night. The Coyotes won the game 7-2. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Ryan Roseboom (left) tries to take the puck away from Alex Durbeniuk of the Chase Heat in third period action Saturday night. The Coyotes won the game 7-2. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Aaron Azevedo, the team captain this year, flicked the puck in from the side past Chase goalie Michael Byer on a power play late in the third period. This final goal gave the Coyotes a 7-2 victory Saturday night at the Sun Bowl Arena. (Richard McGuire photo)

Coyote Aaron Azevedo, the team captain this year, flicked the puck in from the side past Chase goalie Michael Byer on a power play late in the third period. This final goal gave the Coyotes a 7-2 victory Saturday night at the Sun Bowl Arena. (Richard McGuire photo)