The 琉璃神社 Chiefs battled to the end but ultimately took a first round exit from the KIJHL playoffs.

On Saturday in Penticton, the Summerland Steam edged the Chiefs 2-1 to take the best-of-seven Okanagan Division semifinal series four games to three.

琉璃神社 dominated the last two periods, outshooting the Steam 24-8, but couldn鈥檛 get the equalizer against goaltender Matthew Huber.

鈥淚t was very tough to lose that series as we were a better team and really couldn鈥檛 have done more in Game 7 except score,鈥� said Chiefs coach Jason Tansem. 鈥淲e hemmed them in for the final two periods but couldn鈥檛 find a way. Our room truly believed we were going to win through the entire 60 minutes.鈥�

It was the second straight year the Steam has ousted the Chiefs from the first round of the postseason.

Laden with injuries and the loss of some key players, it was an up and down regular season for 琉璃神社 (20-22-2-3) who finished in third spot in the Okanagan Division. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Chiefs were healthy, rested and well-positioned for what Tansem hoped would be a long and successful run.

鈥淥verall I was happy with the season,鈥� Tansem said. 鈥淥ur group developed into a very strong unit and didn鈥檛 hesitate to play for each other.

鈥淲e always faced true adversity with players out of the lineup and losing one of our top players (Brody Dale) at the deadline to the Vernon Vipers. Everyone stepped up to fill that void and we were confident heading into the playoffs.鈥�

Of the Chiefs 10 top scorers in the playoffs, nine are eligible to return next season, along with two goaltenders.

The Chiefs will host their spring camp April 14 to 16 in 琉璃神社. Prospects can register online at