The Osoyoos Coyotes have secured a playoff spot after their win against the Chase Heat on Saturday, where #12 Brandon Della Paolera scored two goals. (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
After two tough battles this weekend, the Osoyoos Coyotes have made the playoffs.
The Coyotes (17-27-2-1) clinched the final playoff spot in the Okanagan/Shushwap conference after one win and one loss this weekend.
On Friday, the Coyotes faced the Kamloops Storm and suffered a 2-0 loss.
The Storm scored goals in both the first and second periods, and the third frame was scoreless for both teams.
“Players had high energy before game time but once we hit the ice it seemed to have disappeared,” head coach Dean Maynard said.
“We battled hard to gain possession of the puck but the puck didn’t bounce our way.”
However, Maynard said the match prepared the team for the following night, when they claimed a 6-5 win over the Chase Heat.
By the beginning of the second period, the Heat had a 3-0 lead. Goals from Brandon Della Paolera and Blake Astorino nearly tied the score, but another from Chase kept them ahead with 4-2.
Brock Marple brought in another goal for Osoyoos, but another from Chase kept them two points head.
However, with just over 13 minutes left on the clock, three more goals from Astorino, Della Paolera and Brax Klassen, paired with a tight defense, secured the Coyotes’ win.
Maynard credited the win to the team’s synergy
“The players found how to play for each other, and to play for a player who has a few games left in the KIJHL, (goalie) Daniel Paul. After a hard-fought first period being down by three goals, the players battled back and clawed their way to win the game.”
The Heat outshot the Coyotes 32-25.
Now the team is focussing on preparing for playoffs, which kick off on Feb. 26.
“Playoff is a new season and we will play anyone,” Maynard said. “Being the underdogs is where I want to be because everything you do is a success.”
Until then, the Coyotes have two more regular season games. They travel to face the Princeton Posse on Friday evening, and meet the Summerland Steam at Sun Bowl Arena on Saturday at 7:35 p.m.
Maynard is calling on the community and come support the team, especially Paul.
“Daniel Paul only has a few games left in the KIJHL and I would like to get every fan out to support this top goalie of the KIJHL,” he said.
“He deserves your support based on how he supported our community with his outstanding hockey talent and supporting the Osoyoos community when he’s not playing hockey.”
