The Reapers came into Kamloops and neutralized the Venom.
In Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacross League (TOJLL) action on Thursday, May 15, the North Okanagan Reapers won in an epic, 16-15 victory over the Kamloops Venom.
The scoring bonanza began early in the opening period, with two goals from the Reapers in the first minute and 30 seconds. After Kamloops got one back, North Okanagna would score five straight. The period would end 8-4 for North Okanagan.
Teams traded four goals each in the second, before the third period saw a push from Kamloops, scoring five straight to tie the game up with 10 minutes to play.
With just over six minutes left in the game, Aidan Wattie would break the deadlock to put the Reapers up 15-14. Zack Milne added an insurance marker with three minutes left, and a late Nate Van Unen wouldn't be enough for Kamloops as North Okanagan would win 16-15.
Van Unen had the performance of the night, scoring eight times, assisting three times for a game-high 11 points for Kamloops. The Reapers were led by Wattie and his five goals and four assists.
Shots were 49-45 for North Okanagan as both teams combined for 55 penalty minutes.
League archives on its website date back to 2018 and show the Venom's last regular-season loss at home was on April 21, 2018, a season-opening 13-7 setback to the visiting Vernon Tigers.
Kamloops has lost two in a row, something that hasn't happened in the regular season dating back to the COVID Cup year of 2020, when they fell to the Kelowna Kodiaks and South Okanagan Flames in games played at Armstrong's Sunbelt Arena.
The Venom have lost consecutive playoff games, in 2019 to the Flames, and 2018 when they were swept in the final by Vernon.
The Reapers (4-3) return to action Sunday, May 25, when they host South Okanagan. Game time is 6 p.m. at the Sunbelt Arena.
