Puck drops on Bantam AA Zone season; Knights split opening weekend vs. Kings

After a weekend home-and-home series with the North Zone Kings to kick off league play for BC Hockey’s 2018-19 Bantam AA Zone season, the Okanagan South Zone Knights came home with a split and two points.

The Knights dropped the first game of the weekend 6-2 on Saturday at Summerland Arena. Defenceman Jace Weir of the Kings led the way with three goals, while Deagan McMillan had two and Jarred Feist chipped in one as well. Assists were credited to Matthew Johnston (2), Austin Roest (2), Andrew Teare (2), Caleb DeHoog (2), and Layton Feist.

At the other end of the ice, Jesse Lee and Tristan Weill scored for South Zone, with assists tallied by captain Ryland Thomsen (2), Parker Konneke and Charlie Lockhart.

North Zone goaltender Kristi Vassberg notched the win, while Ethan Reynaud ate the loss for the Knights.

Game 2 was a completely different story. Sunday’s showdown at Priest Valley Arena in Vernon saw South Zone triumph with seven different Knights players scoring in a 7-4 victory.

Josh Roy, Brendan Lobb, Ryland Thomsen, Tyler Kelly, Brett Calhoon, Tristan Weill and Charlie Lockhart all lit the lamp, with assists from Ben Strobel, Konneke (2), Lee, Thomsen (2) and Lockhart.

Johnston, McMillan, Devin Jameson and Grayson Williamson scored for North Zone, with the Kings’ assists credited to Adam Bourgeois, Austin Roest, Johnston and Layton Feist.

Knights goaltender Shelby Etty earned the win, while Mandi Feist absorbed the loss for the Kings.