A late goal from Austen Rayburn lifted the Kelowna Chiefs over the North Okanagan Knights 2-1 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Friday night.
The win brought the Chiefs into a points tie with the Knights in the Bill Ohlhausen division.
The Jan. 5 game was close from start to finish at Armstrong91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Nor-Val Centre, with the shots 29-24 in favour of Kelowna.
After a scoreless first period in which the Knights out-shot the Chiefs 8-2, Nolan Kelly got North Okanagan on the board early in the second, scoring his ninth of the season with helpers going to Gage Parrell and Tate O91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™Brien.
Just past the midway point of the second, the Chiefs answered with a goal off the stick of Jaxson Rebman, his fifth of the season, assisted by Mathias Reha and Aiden Morcom.
The third period rolled on with the game knotted at 1-1, but Rayburn wasn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t thinking about overtime. He scored with six minutes to go to give the Chiefs a 2-1 lead, and they would hang on to secure the win.
Xavier Burgher was named the game91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s first star after recording one assist. Knights goalie Josh Hager made 27 saves and was named second star.
With the win, the Kelowna Chiefs leapfrogged the Knights in the divisional standings. Both teams have 23 points on the season, but the tiebreaker goes to the Chiefs, who have one extra win. The two teams are battling for second place in a weak Bill Ohlhausen division. The Osoyoos Coyotes are also in the mix, just one point behind the Knights and the Chiefs.
Both teams are in action again Saturday night, Jan. 6. The Knights are on the road to face the Summerland Steam at 7:30 p.m., while the Chiefs are at home facing the Nelson Leafs at 7 p.m.
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