The North Okanagan McDonald’s White Knights are in the Okanagan Valley Atom Rec Hockey Championships, March 17-19, in Ashcroft.
Kohen Pounder pulled the hat trick as the White Knights brushed back Salmon Arm Save On Foods Hawks 5-3 in a thrilling final before a large, energized crowd Monday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre in Armstrong.
The fourth-place Hawks, who finished 13 points behind the regular-season winning Knights, got a goal from Benedict Tudan at 36 seconds. Pounder equalized four minutes later and the Knights went up 2-1 shortly after on d-man Cody Collette’s snipe, assisted by Alex Hart.
Tudan levelled things 4:20 into the middle stanza and moved in front five minutes later on Elias Norgren’s goal. Pounder tied it with eight minutes left in the period.
The Hawks’ goalie Rylan Squires was brilliant in the final 20 with the Collette finally converting the winner with 1:52 to play. Pounder added insurance 42 seconds later. Brayden Rypkema was solid for the win.
North Okanagan, coached by Chad Pounder, Chad Wattie and Brent Stowards, lost 4-3 to the Hawks in Saturday preliminary action at the Shaw Centre.
Aidan Wattie, with 1+2, Gavin Smith and Waylen Stowards supplied goals in front of Rypkema.
Stowards pocketed three goals as the Knights ambushed Vernon Lakeside Printing 6-1 Friday night at Civic Arena. Collette, Kash Enns and Kade Blair garnered singles for the Knights, who got two helpers from Pounder.
Wattie counted two goals as the Knights stopped the Vernon Everton Ridge Homes Ice Army 5-3 in Sunday’s semifinal at the Shaw Centre.
Phoenix Cardinal, Smith and Stowards contributed singles. Wattie’s second tally found the empty net with the Army pressing with six skaters.
The Kelowna Female Pee Wee A Rep Rockets shaded the Lumby Stars 6-5 in the Pee Wee Super League final Monday night at Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
Bryden Murray scored twice for the Stars, who finished third in the regular season, seven points back of the banner-winning Rockets. Jack Laventure recorded a beautiful goal from a sweet pass by Zachary Young, while Quintin O’Neill and Tori Maltman completed the offence.
The Stars move to the Valleys, March 17 -19, in Chase. The Rockets are in the provincials, March 19-22, in Surrey.
The Stars, who carry sponsorship from Bannister GM and Irly Bird Building Center, shut down Askew’s Silver Stingers of Salmon Arm 2-0 in Sunday’s semifinal.
Laventure opened the scoring off a gorgeous pass from Galileo Ingram at 90 seconds. Jace Catt added insurance two minutes into the third period of the fast and intense tilt. James Wraight earned the shutout.
The Stars are coached by Cole Young and Derek Murray, Ken Laventure, Tim Seehaver, Todd Prentice and Mike Quibell. They have applied to work for the new NHL franchise in Las Vegas.