Rockets Clinch B.C. Division with 6-3 Victory
March 15, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets celebrate a goal
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Marissa Baecker)
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Prince George Cougars 6-3 on Wednesday night in Kelowna to clinch their 7th B.C. Division title in franchise history, and 8th division title in total (West Division champs in 2000).
Aaron Boyd(14) opened the scoring for Prince George tapping in a rebound at 13:30 to take a 1-0 lead. Nolan Foote(13) made an immediate impact in his return to the Rockets lineup after missing 17 games to injury, tipping a point shot from his brother, team Captain Cal Foote, past Cougars netminder Taylor Gauthier. The score was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.
The Cougars scored the lone goal in the middle frame as Brogan O'Brien wristed his 15th past James Porter. PG held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
23 seconds into the final frame Kaedan Korczak ripped home his 4th of the campaign to even things at 2-2. Then at 6:08 Rockets Captain Cal Foote one-timed a pass from Dillon Dube for his 18th and the Rockets took a 3-2 lead. Midway through the third the Cougars let their tempers get the better of them and a ruckus broke out. Gordie Ballhorn was assessed a two minute minor for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct, Carsen Twarynski was assessed four minutes for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct, Joel Lakusta of Prince George was assessed two minutes for roughing, a five minute major for checking to the head, and a game misconduct, and Cameron MacPhee was assessed a five minute match penalty for attempt to injure and a game misconduct. All four players were ejected from the game. At the end of that power play Dube notched his 35th and the Rockets led 4-2. Cal Foote(19) scored his second of the evening 29 seconds later and it was 5-2. The rough stuff continued as Austin Crossley was assessed four minutes for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct following the Rockets fifth goal, and Crossley was also ejected from the game. Two minutes after that Braydyn Chizen(6) made it 6-2 Rockets to all but seal it for Kelowna. With just over two minutes remaining Ryan Schoettler(8) responded for the Cougars but it wouldn't be enough as the Rockets take it 6-3 clinching the B.C. Division title.
Kelowna enjoyed multi-point evenings from Cal Foote(2G, 1A), Nolan Foote(1G, 1A), Dillon Dube(1G, 1A), Kole Lind(2A), and Leif Mattson(2A).
James Porter's record improves to 21-9-4-1 after stopping 15 of 18 shots he faced. The Rockets outshot the Cougars 50-18.
Kelowna's record improves to 41-22-5-2.
Following Wednesday Kelowna is back in action again on Friday night in Langley when they face the Vancouver Giants for the first of a home-and-home weekend to close out the regular season.
On Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, the Rockets wrap up the regular season against the Giants on home ice. It's a special night as it's CIBC Game Night! The first 1000 fans into the building get a Percy Penguin doll to toss during the second intermission Percy Penguin Toss. The lucky fans that get to toss the penguins will throw them at the centre ice face off target and whoever is closest to the target will win $500 courtesy of CIBC! CIBC is also going to match the $500 and donate that amount to the Kelowna S.P.C.A. It's also Jersey Off the Back Night! Fans have been entering all year to win one of these fancy St. Patrick's Day themed jerseys sponsored by Bekins Moving & Storage! Winning fans will be given the jerseys following the game on Saturday night. Tickets for Saturday are available here: http://bit.ly/2Ii61Dv
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
Images from this story
 Kelowna Rockets celebrate a goal (Marissa Baecker) |
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Western Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2018
- Rockets Enter the Final Weekend of the Regular Season against the Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Silvertips Recall Goaltender Blake Lyda - Everett Silvertips
- Winterhawks Clinch Home-Ice Advantage in First Round of Playoffs - Portland Winterhawks
- Hagel and Linemates Dominating WHL Opponents in Timely Fashion - Red Deer Rebels
- Broncos Announce First Pair of Playoff Home Dates - Swift Current Broncos
- Game 3 Playoff Tickets Now on Sale - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Third Period Rally Leads Rockets Past Cougars - Prince George Cougars
- Giants Earn a 4-1 Road Victory Wednesday in Kamloops - Vancouver Giants
- Broncos Handed Third Straight Loss - Swift Current Broncos
- Rebels Defeat Hurricanes, Pull to Within Three Points of Their Central Division Rivals - Red Deer Rebels
- Rockets Clinch B.C. Division with 6-3 Victory - Kelowna Rockets
- T-Birds Double up Chiefs - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Thunderbirds Top Chiefs, 6-3 on Wednesday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Blades Band Together to Take out Broncos - Saskatoon Blades
- Stukel Lifts Hitmen in Shootout - Calgary Hitmen
- Pats Win in Shootout - Regina Pats
- Raiders Fall In Shootout For Second Straight Night - Prince Albert Raiders
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