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Porter Dawson scored twice and assisted on a pair of goals to lead the Kelowna Chiefs to a 5-2 win over the host Summerland Steam in their Kootenay International Hockey League season opener on Friday.
A graduate of the major midget Okanagan Rockets and Kelowna minor hockey, Dawson scored both his goals on the power play in the second period while the 18-year-old helped set up the Chiefs’ first two markers — by Jordan Lowry early the first and Zane Avery just 13 seconds into the middle frame.
Lowry, another former Okanagan Rocket and a product of West Kelowna minor hockey who scored just two goals (17 assists) in 43 games last season with the Chiefs, also assisted on two goals against the Steam. Avery had a three-point night as well for the winners, scoring his second goal into an empty net with 14 seconds remaining and assisting on Dawson’s second goal with the man advantage.
Reid Bateman and Ty Banser were the Steam marksmen, who twice got to within a goal, but trailed by two going into the third period.
Braeden Mitchell, 26-5 last season with the Chiefs, earned his first win of the 2019-20 season by stopping 28 of 30 shots fired his way. The Steam’s Eric Scherger took the loss in goal, giving up four goals on 37 shots.
The Chiefs are back in action on Saturday, busing to Sicamous to take on the Eagles, who opened their season at home with a 2-1 overtime win over the Princeton Posse on Friday.
Kelowna’s first home game is scheduled for Sept. 20, playing host to the Chase Heat beginning at the 7 p.m. at the Rutland Arena.
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