While it was nothing new that the Kelowna Chiefs won a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League game today, there was at least a pair of rarities at the Princeton and District Arena.
Kelowna's Kayson Gallant scored once and assisted on three goals as the first-place-overall Chiefs defeated the host Posse 5-3 for their 25th win in 29 games in front of an infrequent afternoon crowd made up mostly of area elementary school pupils.
For Gallant, a Red Deer minor hockey product, the four points were the most by him in a single game this season and it was first multi-point performance since he posted back-to-back two-point efforts Nov. 6 and 9.
Linemate, Juanre Naude, converted two of Gallant’s passes for this 12th and 13th goals of the season while Brody Dale, the KIJHL’s leading point-getter with 72 (27 goals, 45 assists), opened the scoring in a 2-0 first period. Lane Paddison added his 16th goal of the season.
The Chiefs (25-1-1-0-2) outshot the Posse 48-21, with Shane Zilka earning the win in goal.
On Saturday, the Chiefs shut out the visiting 100 Mile House Wranglers 3-0- at the Rutland Arena where Braedon Mitchell stopped all 22 shots he faced to record his second whitewash of the season.
Myles Mattila scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season to lead the Kelowna offence that also included Devon Sutton’s 21st of the campaign.
The game also featured the annual Chiefs’ Teddy Bear Toss and a Stuff The Truck Food Night.
The Chiefs are back in action on Friday when they play host to the Osoyoos Coyotes beginning at 7 p.m. at the Rutland Arena.
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