A summary of youth ice hockey results from the Okanagan and surrounding area.
It was a closely fought match between two intense rivals, but Tij Iginla's two-goal performance helped the Rockets defeat the Blazers in Kamloops on Saturday night.
The Blazers quickly took a two-goal lead in the first half of the first period, with goals from Emmitt Finnie (17) and Andrew Thomson (10). Their strong start for Kamloops was just what they needed, after suffering a heavy 9-1 loss to Kelowna the night before.
However, with the Rockets having a one-player advantage halfway through the first period, Tij Iginla's shot from the left faceoff circle tricked goalkeeper Logan Edmonstone, who was playing his first WHL game, reducing the Blazers' lead.
Kamloops extended their lead to two goals 6:43 into the second period with a goal from Nathan Behm (12), who is in his first full season with the Blazers. But the Rockets struck back on a power play as Andrew Cristall (38) continued his impressive form with 17 points in his last six games.
At the midway point of the final period, the Rockets scored on the power play for the third time that evening to tie the game at three goals each, thanks to a one-timer from Hiroki Gojsic (20). Then, with only 5:18 remaining in regulation time, Tij Iginla (45) gave the Rockets the push they needed. He scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway — and the Lake Country native is now just five goals away from reaching 50 this season.
With this victory, the Rockets have suffered only one loss in their last eight games and have gained points in eight consecutive matches. They now have a record of 31-28-3-1 and are just two points behind the 4th th place in the Western Conference. Kelowna will play again on Wednesday when they welcome the Prince George Cougars.
Saturday’s results
- Lethbridge 3, Moose Jaw 2 (SO)
- Prince Albert 8, Medicine Hat 3
- Saskatoon 2, Edmonton 1 (OT)
- Swift Current 6, Brandon 3
- Portland 7, Wenatchee 1
- Prince George 6, Vancouver 3
- Red Deer 5, Calgary 2
- Spokane 5, Seattle 1
- Everett 6, Victoria 2
Sunday’s game
- Tri-City at Seattle
WEST KELOWNA 4, PRINCE GEORGE 2
The BCHL’s third-ranked team, the West Kelowna Warriors, returned to winning ways after defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday.
West Kelowna’s Trent Wilson scored the first two goals of the game, followed by another goal from Jack Pridham, resulting in a three-goal lead for the Warriors in the second period. However, the Spruce Kings managed to score just under 20 seconds after Pridham’s goal, and then again just over three minutes later, bringing the visiting team within one goal.
In the final period, the Warriors added an extra goal thanks to Johannes Lokkeberg, securing a 4-2 victory.
The Warriors had 29 shots on goal compared to the Spruce Kings' 25. They will host the Penticton Vees on Friday night. Penticton is currently nine points ahead of West Kelowna in the Interior Division standings.
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks won both of their games against the Cranbrook Bucks during the weekend road trip.
On Saturday night, the home team scored early with a power play goal from Jack Silich after just 1:20.
Similar to Friday’s game, it was difficult to score goals, but the Silverbacks managed to score twice in the second period through Maddux Martin and Cole Cooksey, which was enough for their second win against Cranbrook.
During the weekend series, both teams only scored a total of four goals, with the Silverbacks winning 1-0 in overtime and 2-1. The Silverbacks are in third place in the Interior Division and had 31 shots compared to the Bucks' 29 in their recent game.rd The Silverbacks, positioned in third place in the Interior Division, outshot the Bucks 31-29 in their latest game. They are now seven points behind the second-placed West Kelowna Warriors in the division.
Salmon Arm’s next game is against the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday.
Despite making a comeback after falling behind early, the Merritt Centennials couldn’t defeat the Penticton Vees.
In the first period, Penticton dominated, scoring three goals on 12 shots including one on the powerplay.
The Centennials scored a goal late in the second period and another before the five-minute mark of the third, turning what seemed like a runaway game for the Vees into a one-goal game.
However, as many successful sports franchises do, the Vees found a way to win in the face of adversity, adding a power play goal and an empty-netter to secure a 5-2 victory.
The Vees outshot the visitors 44-31 and scored twice on five power play attempts, while Merritt scored once on four power play opportunities.
The Vees will play against the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday.
The Trail Smoke Eaters outshot and outscored the Vernon Vipers on Saturday night, earning two important points.
By the end of the game, the shots were 48 to 26 in favor of Trail, with a final score of 6-2. The Smoke Eaters scored once in the first period, three times in the second period, and twice in the third period. Vernon scored twice in the second period.
Trail scored 2 goals on 7 power play opportunities while Vernon scored 2 on 4.
With this victory, the Smoke Eaters are now just one point behind the Vipers, who hold 4th place in the Interior Division.th The Vipers will play their next game against Alberni Valley on Friday.
The Smoke Eaters' next game is on Friday when they host the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Saturday’s results
- Langley won 5-3 against Chilliwack
- Surrey won 4-3 against Cowichan Valley in overtime
- Nanaimo won 5-3 against Victoria
- Brook won 9-2 against Blackfalds
- Spruce Grove won 3-1 against Okotoks
- Alberni Valley won 6-3 against Prince Rupert
Sunday’s games
- Surrey at Nanaimo
- Spruce Grove at Sherwood Park
