The Coyotes didn’t do as well against the North Okanagan Knights Sunday in Armstrong as they did in the October game shown in this file photo, which they won 10-2. Coyote goals in Sunday’s 5-2 loss were scored by Luc Gradisar and Rainer Glimpel. Pictured above, Aaron Azevedo scored his second goal of the October game. (File photo Richard McGuire)
After dropping their only game this past weekend, the Osoyoos Coyotes are gearing up for one of their most important games of the regular season Saturday night when they host the red-hot Summerland Steam at the Sun Bowl Arena.
After a recent surge that have seen them win seven games and tie another in their past 10 games, the Steam have passed the Coyotes and moved into second place in the tough Okanagan Division.
The Steam and Coyotes both have a realistic chance of claiming first place if they put together a nice winning streak as they trail the division-leading Kelowna Chiefs by five and six points, respectively.
However, if they don’t catch the Chiefs with a dozen games remaining in the regular season, whichever team finishes in second place in the division will gain home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
And that’s what makes Saturday night’s contest in Osoyoos so important.
During a rare Sunday afternoon game in Armstrong against the Knights this past Sunday, the Coyotes allowed 21 shots and three goals during a lackluster second period and that was the difference as they dropped a 5-2 decision.
North Okanagan opened the scoring four minutes into the contest, but Luc Gradisar tied things up 33 seconds later as the teams ended the first period tied at 1-1.
The Knights took control early in the second period as Morgan Johnston scored only 38 seconds in the middle stanza, before Blaine Caton added to the lead 10 minutes later.
The Coyotes closed the gap to 3-2 as Rainer Glimpel scored a power-play goal, with assists going to Brendan Smith and Gradisar.
The Knights regained a two-goal lead as Tanner Burns scored late in the period to give the Knights a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Even though the Coyotes came on strong and fired an incredible 29 shots at goaltender Zach Dyment in the final frame, they couldn’t score.
Dyment was named the game’s first star as he faced 59 shots.
Tanner Burns scored with three minutes left in the game to give the Knights an insurmountable 5-2 victory.
The Coyotes will have a return engagement against the Knights on Sunday afternoon at the Oliver Arena. Game time is 1:35 p.m.
The Coyotes will then hit the road for a game at the Boundary Expo Rec Centre in Midway on Wednesday, Jan. 22 against the Grand Forks Border Bruins.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
