Connor Onstein pokes the puck into the side of the net, beyond the reach of Kelowna goalie Joseph McLeod to score the Coyote’s fourth goal Tuesday night on a power play. The Coyotes took the division final series opener 6-1. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Osoyoos Coyotes kicked off the the division final series Tuesday night with a resounding 6-1 win over the Kelowna Chiefs.

The lone Kelowna goal came late in the third period when the Chiefs enjoyed a two-man advantage, in a game marked by strong goaltending by Coyote Daniel Paul.

At the other end of the rink, Kelowna goaltender Joseph McLeod has worse luck, letting in six goals before he was finally pulled in favour of backup goalie Reign Turley.

Despite the lopsided score, both teams managed roughly the same number of shots on goal – 31 for Kelowna and 30 for Osoyoos.

Hunter Johnson had a good game, scoring the only goal of the first period and picking up a couple of assists.

In fact, the Terrace Coyotes together had a good night, picking up 11 points between them.

Jack McNamara and Judd Repole added two goals in the second period, making it 3-0 heading into the third period.

Early in the final period, Connor Onstein tipped the puck into the side of the net on a power play when McLeod was out of reach. He was set up by fellow Terrace Coyotes Johnson and Sam Reinbolt.

Minutes later, Onstein and Johnson set up Jackson Barrett, who scored the Coyotes’ fifth goal.

The sixth and final Coyote goal was scored on a power play by Carter Robinson, assisted by Austin Cleaver and Carter Shannon. It was the second assist of the night for both Cleaver and Shannon.

Kelowna only managed to get on the scoreboard late in the period when Cody Allen and Colin Bell were both in the penalty box, giving the Chiefs a two-man advantage.

The two teams face each other Wednesday night for game two at the Sun Bowl Arena, before travelling up to Kelowna for games three and four on Friday and Saturday.

If further games are needed, they’ll be next Monday in Osoyoos, Tuesday in Kelowna and Wednesday, March 14 in Osoyoos.

In the other Okanagan/Shuswap Conference game, 100 Mile House beat Revelstoke 4-1.

In the Kootenay Conference, Kimberley beat Columbia Valley 5-1 and Nelson beat Castlegar 1-0 in overtime.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times