The Penticton Scotiabank Rangers came within a whisker winning a bantam minor hockey tournament last weekend in Nelson.
The squad lost a close game to Kimberley on the opening day of the event, coming up on the short end of a 4-3 score but rebounded the next day to blank Nelson 5-0.
Ethan Konyi was between the pipes to record the shutout and was named the Rangers’ game MVP for his efforts and Khy Cutler netted a hat trick.
The win moved the team into the semifinal against Kimberley Sunday morning.
The Rangers avenged that earlier loss with a 4-1 victory to give them a berth in the championship match in the afternoon against Trail.
Despite a strong showing in the final, it was Trail prevailing with a 4-2 win.
The Rangers jumped into an early lead with a quick goal but their opponents replied with a pair of markers to go ahead.
Penticton fought back to tie the game at two apiece but were outgunned in the final stages.
According to Rangers assistant coach Ken Miller, his entire squad worked hard against the strong Trail team.
Other game MVPs for Penticton in the tournament included Cutler, Gyobin Lee and Jayden Hughes.