The puck is loose in front of Kelowna goalie Brady Lenardon as the Osoyoos Coyotoes turn up the pressure in a recent home game at the Sun Bowl Arena. This past weekend, the Coyotes continued their winning ways as they came from behind to defeat 100 Mile House on home ice, before travelling to Oliver to battle Princeton in a game they easily won 4-1. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The Osoyoos Coyotes continued their hot streak winning a pair of games over the weekend, including their first of two home games they play in Oliver.
With the pair of victories, the Coyotes have now won nine of their past 10 games and have climbed within striking distance of the Kimberly Dynamiters, who sit atop the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League standings.
The Coyotes had a rough start to the weekend as they got off to a terrible start on home ice against the 100 Mile House Wranglers last Friday night falling behind 3-0 in the first 14 minutes.
However, they scored a late first period goal and added two unanswered goals in the second period to tie the contest after 40 minutes of play.
After a scoreless third period, the Coyotes completed the comeback and won the game when Ryan Morrell scored in overtime with only 19 seconds left to play.
After falling behind 3-0, Carter Robinson got the Coyotes back into the game scoring a late goal in the opening period with an assist from captain Rainer Glimpel.
Bobby LaRue narrowed the game to a single goal midway through the second period and Braeden Tuck tied it up a minute later.
LaRue was named the Coyotes’ player of the game against 100 Mile House.
The Princeton Posse provided the opposition on Sunday afternoon at the Oliver Arena.
After a scoreless first period, the Coyotes scored a pair of power play goals two minutes apart to break open the game.
LaRue opened the scoring, with assists from Robinson and Tuck, while Morrell scored the second goal, with assists from Rainer Glimpel and Daniel Stone.
Tuck extended the lead to 3-0, with assists from Rainer Glimpel and LaRue.
Princeton scored a power play goal late in the second period to get on the board and narrow the lead to 3-1.
The Coyotes played solid defensive hockey in the third period and didn’t allow many scoring chances and maintained the two-goal cushion until LaRue scored a late goal to give the Coyotes the 4-1 victory.
With the pair of wins, the Coyotes now sport a record of 17-5-1, good enough for 35 points.
Glimpel now sits second in league scoring with 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points.
That gives them a five point lead over Summerland Steam and Kelowna Chiefs, who are tied for second place with 30 points.
The Coyotes hope to extend their latest winning streak to four games when they travel to Armstrong Friday night to take on the North Okanagan Knights.
The Coyotes wrap up the weekend hosting the Summerland Steam Saturday night at the Sun Bowl Arena. Game time is 7:35 p.m.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
