Chiefs douse Steam for 2nd place

Kelowna scores statement win by blanking Summerland

The Kelowna Chiefs helped themselves and the Osoyoos Coyotes.

Brody Dale piled up two goals and four assists as the Chiefs blasted the Summerland Steam 9-0 on Tuesday at the Rutland Arena in a showdown for second place in the Okanagan Division.

Devin Sutton scored twice and Brett Witala had a goal and four assists for the Chiefs, who led 2-0 and 4-0 at the period breaks.

Devon Baird, Cole Williams, Myles Mattila and Zach Erhardt also scored as the Chiefs (24-14-4-1) moved one point ahead of the Steam (24-14-1-3). Joseph Mcleod made 28 saves for the shutout, while Matt Huber made just 16 saves on 25 shots for the Steam.

The result gave the idle Coyotes their fourth straight Interior pennant and guaranteed the Chiefs and Steam will meet in the first round of the playoffs again.

The Steam won last year’s series in seven games, but combined with an 11-4 loss in Rutland this past Friday, Summerland has been outscored 20-4 by Kelowna in the recent two games.

Osoyoos travels to Summerland on Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Summerland visits 100 Mile House Wranglers, Kelowna plays the Kamloops Storm in Quesnel, and North Okanagan visits Osoyoos at 7:35 p.m. Kelowna visits 100 Mile House on Sunday afternoon.

Osoyoos will face either Princeton or North Okanagan in the first round of the KIJHL playoffs.