Summerland punched its ticket onto the playoff train Saturday.
The Steam clinched its Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the Princeton Posse at the Summerland Arena. Cory Loring scored twice, while Jared Breitkreuz stopped 29 of 30 shots to improve the Steam to 22 wins in 41 games.
Loring opened the scoring at 9:27 of the first when Tyson Conroy set him up for his eighth power play tally of the season. That is a new career high for the Williams Lake product. Loring netted his 15th at 17:43 of the second when Linden Gove set him up.
The Steam was strong on the penalty kill, going four-for-four, while the power play scored once on five tries. The win for Breitkreuz is his 12th of the season.
On Friday, the Steam defeated the Osoyoos Coyotes 5-1 in a penalty-filled affair. Eric Scherger turned aside 39 of 40 shots for his 10th win. Lane French potted the winner at 7:34 of the opening frame. He added another for his 14th. Mitchell Gove scored his 18th, while Liam McLaren scored his 11th and Loring added to the offence.
The Steam return to action on Feb. 2 when they visit the Posse. Their next home game is Feb. 5 when they host the league-leading Kelowna Chiefs at 7:30 p.m.
