During their last home game at the Sun Bowl Arena 10 days ago, Princeton Posse goalie Stephen Heslop brings down his stick just in time to stop a loose puck from going into his net against the Osoyoos Coyotes. Despite this one save, Heslop allowed seven Coyotes’ goals before being replaced by the backup goalie midway through the third period. The Coyotes skated in circles around the Posse to win the game 7-1. The Coyotes play in Princeton Friday night before returning home Sunday evening to host the North Okanagan Knights. The team will then be off for the Christmas break. (Richard McGuire file photo)
For the second time this season, the Osoyoos Coyotes had a seven-game winning streak snapped when they lost a tough one to the Castlegar Rebels Friday night.
However, the Coyotes rebounded and started another winning streak by playing an outstanding game against the Nelson Leafs Saturday evening and coming out with a 4-1 victory.
The win over Nelson means the Coyotes have lost only two of their last 16 games as they continue to be among the league leaders in victories and points.
The Coyotes now possess a record of 22-6-1, good enough for 45 points, four ahead of the Summerland Steam, who have played one more game than the Coyotes.
The Coyotes have yet to lose on home ice this season, with all six losses coming on the road.
In Castlegar, the Coyotes opened the scoring eight minutes into the game as rookie Cody Allen scored a power play goal, with assists going to Braeden Tuck and Ryan Morrell.
The Rebels tied the score six minutes later as the first period ended in a 1-1 draw.
Castlegar’s Nick Headrick scored his second goal of the game on the power play in the second minute of the second period to give the hometown squad a 2-1 lead.
However, the Coyotes responded 10 minutes later as Mackenzie Wiens scored, with a lone assist going to Jackson Glimpel.
The Rebels restored a one-goal lead one minute later with another power play goal.
The Coyotes tied it up a couple of minutes later with a goal from Carter Shannon.
The Rebels scored what would turn out to be the only goal of the third period and the game winner seven minutes into the third period, once again on the power play.
After the tough loss, the Coyotes rallied in Nelson and never trailed on their way to victory.
Tuck scored in the third minute of the first period to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead and Reid Wilson extended the lead to two with a goal with five minutes remaining in the opening 20 minutes.
Colton Rhodes extended the Coyotes’ lead to 3-0 midway through the second period.
Nelson scored a power play goal with seven minutes remaining in the middle frame, but that would turn out to be their only goal of the game.
Tuck scored an empty net goal to seal the 4-1 victory.
Goaltender Brett Soles was solid in both games as he was named the Coyotes’ Star of the Game in both contests.
Captain Rainer Glimpel remains in second place in league scoring, while Tuck remains one of the highest scoring rookies in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League this season.
Soles has climbed near the top of the ladder in goaltending statistics as his save percentage and goals-against average are near the top of the league.
Head coach and general manager Ken Law said he will be giving the players some well deserved time off over the holiday season.
The Coyotes will play their final two games before an extended Christmas holiday break this weekend.
They take on the Princeton Posse Friday night in Princeton before returning home Sunday evening to host the North Okanagan Knights at the Sun Bowl Arena.
Game time Sunday evening is 7:35 p.m.
The Coyotes will return to the ice to play their first game after Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 29 in Summerland.
They will host the Steam at the Sun Bowl Arena the following night. Once again, game time will be 7:35 p.m.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
