North Okanagan Knights thump 麻豆精选 Chiefs

Seven straight goals propelled the North Okanagan Knights to a 7-1 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League victory over the 麻豆精选 Chiefs Saturday, Jan. 28, at Armstrong鈥檚 Nor-Val Sports Centre.

The two teams complete a weekend home-and-home series today, Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Rutland Arena at 5 p.m.

The Knights scored the first seven goals before Dain Levesque spoiled Austin Seibel鈥檚 shutout bid with a powerplay goal at 13:13 of the third period.

Matthew Johnston and Brodie Pearson, on the man advanage with one second remaining in the first period, gave North Okanagan a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Kevin-Thomas Walters, Devin Jameson, Collin Kozijn and Carson Devine added goals in the middle frame, and Tyson McCaig, with his first of the year off the post and in, rounded out the Knights鈥� scoring.

North Okanagan peppered Chiefs goalie Caleb Muri with 55 shots while Seibel finished the game with 26 saves.

麻豆精选 played the contest without defenceman Zach Peitsch, seriously injured by a stick to the throat Friday, Jan. 27, in Grand Forks. The Chiefs posted on their Twitter feed that Peitsch continues to recover and remains in intensive care. A picture shows Peitsch giving thumbs up.

Peitsch and Seibel were teammates at the Prospects Games in Chilliwack in November 2022.

Update:

Zach's surgery was successful, although the damage was worse than the doctors initially believed. He is awake and will remain in ICU for tonight at least.

On behalf of Zach and the Peitsch family, we thank everyone for their comments wishing him well. pic.twitter.com/uFj3578CYS

鈥� 麻豆精选Chiefs (@麻豆精选Chiefs) January 29, 2023

North Okanagan鈥檚 victory, combined with Summerland鈥檚 5-4 loss in 100 Mile House to the Wranglers, pushes the Knights鈥� lead in third place in the Bill Ohlhausen Division to nine points over the Steam. Both teams have six regular-season games remaining.

North OK sits 11 points behind the second-place Osoyoos Coyotes, who beat the Chase Heat 2-1 in overtime Saturday.

READ MORE: 麻豆精选 Chiefs player in hospital after windpipe hit

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