Braeden Tuck scored his second goal of the night in the Coyotes’ recent 7-2 victory over the Summerland Steam. The Coyotes snapped a two game road losing skid with a pair of impressive victories over Kamloops and the North Okanagan Knights this past weekend. The Coyotes host the Grand Forks Border Bruins on Wednesday night before heading to Spokane Friday night before returning home Sunday evening to host the North Okanagan Knights. Game time is 7:35 p.m. at the Sun Bowl Arena. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The Osoyoos Coyotes went from road kill to road warriors as they swept a pair of games this past weekend, including one over the powerhouse Kamloops Storm – a team that only lost twice in 15 games early in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
After dropping a pair of close games on the road the previous weekend against 100 Mile House and Chase, the Coyotes played two of their best games of the season to get back into the win column.
On Saturday night in Kamloops, the Coyotes dominated the first period and fired an impressive 19 shots on goal in the opening period, but couldn’t score as the teams played to a scoreless draw after 20 minutes of play.
The tide turned early in the second period as the Coyotes scored two goals two minutes apart with Austin Cleaver opening the scoring, quickly followed by an unassisted goal by Bobby LaRue.
The Coyotes continued to dominate the play and put the game out of reach early in the second period as captain Rainer Glimpel added another unassisted goal.
Tristyn Olson extended the lead to 4-0 with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation time.
Goaltender Brett Soles had his bid to secure a shutout snapped with just over one minute left in the game.
The Coyotes outshot Kamloops 40-35 over the course of 60 minutes of play.
After spending the night in a hotel, the Coyotes were on the road very early as they had to travel to Armstrong to take on the North Okanagan Knights at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
The lack of rest and travel didn’t seem to negatively affect the Coyotes as they staged a dramatic third period comeback to score three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes to escape with a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Once again, the Coyotes dominated play in the first period as they outshot the Knights 16-8, but neither team managed to score a goal.
Reid Wilson put the Coyotes on the scoreboard with a power play goal early in the second period.
The Knights scored three goals in eight minutes to take a 3-1 lead after two periods of play.
Bobby LaRue was the hero as he scored two goals four minutes apart midway through the third period to tie the game at 3-3.
Daniel Stone netted the game winner with just under eight minutes left in regulation time to complete the comeback and secure the 4-3 victory for the Coyotes.
Following the successful road trip, the Coyotes continue to lead the way in first place in the Okanagan Division with a record of 9-4-1.
The Coyotes return to home ice on Wednesday night as they hosted the Grand Forks Border Bruins at the Sun Bowl Arena.
The Coyotes are back on the road Friday night as they make the trip to Spokane to play the Braves.
They will return to home ice Sunday evening to battle the North Okanagan Knights.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
