Chiefs advance

After staving off elimination on consecutive nights, the Summerland Steam finally succumbed to the Kelowna Chiefs in Game 7.

Devin Sutton scored twice in a 4:53 span in the first half of the opening period as the Chiefs blanked the Steam 3-0 in KIJHL first-round playoff action Saturday at the Rutland Arena.

Brody Dale had a goal and two assists and regular season MVP Brett Witala also had two helpers as Kelowna avenged a Game 7 loss to Summerland in last season’s opening round.

Joseph Mcleod made 29 stops for the shutout while Matthew Huber made 31 saves for the Steam.

Kelowna now takes on the Osoyoos Coyotes in the Okanagan Division final with Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:35 p.m. at the Sun Bowl Arena.

Game 6 – Steam 3 Chiefs 1: Goals by Scott Robinson, Blake Holowaty and Morey Babakaiff helped the Steam tie the series at 3-3 Friday at the Summerland Arena.

Witala scored for the Chiefs, who trailed 1-0 and 3-1 at the period breaks. Kelowna outshot Summerland 33-36.

Game 5 – Steam 4 Chiefs 2: Robinson was a one-man wrecking crew with four goals as the Steam stayed alive with a win at the Rutland Arena on Thursday.

Cole Williams and Juanre Naude replied for the Chiefs, who outshot Summerland 50-35.