Three Yukoners helped power the Summerland Steam to a division title last week.

Wyatt Gale, Jarrett Malchow and Riley Pettitt – the Yukon Line – came alive as the Steam dispatched the Osoyoos Coyotes four games to two.

Gale scored the game-winning goal in all but one of the Steam’s victories.

By ousting the Coyotes, the Steam earned the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference title in the 20-team Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).

In the first round, the Jr. B Steam defeated the Kelowna Chiefs – featuring Josh Tetlichi of Whitehorse – in six games.

The team is now facing the 100 Mile House Wranglers – featuring Whitehorse forward Alex Hanson – in the conference finals. That series is tied 1-1.

Malchow is tied for third in league playoff scoring with five goals and nine assists in 14 games, while Gale (8G, 3A) and Pettitt (4G, 7A) are tied for 10th.

Hanson, meanwhile, has two goals and three assists in 12 playoff games.

The Yukon Line isn’t the only Whitehorse news making headlines in the KIJHL.

Grand Forks Border Bruins blue-liner Graeme Close has committed to the University of Jamestown, the North Dakota school announced Tuesday.

The six-foot, 195-pound defenceman appeared in 44 KIJHL games with three goals, five assists and 112 PIM.

“One word comes to mind right away with this hockey player – tough,” said Jamestown head coach Dean Stork of the Whitehorse product.

“Graeme is an outstanding penalty killer and has a defence-first mentality. He takes pride in his defensive game and shutting down the opponent’s top lines.”

In other territorial hockey news, the Yukon Peewee Mustangs won their semifinal game 4-1 over Dawson Creek at provincials yesterday, and will play for Tier 3 gold later this afternoon.

Standing in their way at 1:15 p.m. in West Vancouver is Merritt.

The Peewee Mustangs have not yet lost in this year’s tournament.