Hawks Fall 5-2 in Kelowna; Rockets Take 2-0 Series Lead
April 9, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
The Portland Winterhawks fell 5-2 to the Kelowna Rockets in Game 2 of the second-round playoff series at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC, Saturday. With the win, the Rockets have taken a 2-0 series lead to preserve the home ice advantage heading to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
Forwards Joachim Blichfeld and Ryan Hughes found the back of the net tonight for their third goals of the postseason, while Colton Veloso added an assist for his fourth playoff point. Winterhawks goaltender Cole Kehler made 38 saves on the 41 shots he faced from the Rockets.
The series will now move to Portland for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Game 3 will be played Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at 7 pm.
Scoring Summary:
- 2nd @ 7:33 - After a scoreless first period, Kole Lind (Dube, Gardiner) opens the scoring for the Rockets. (KEL 1 - POR 0)
- 2nd @ 9:56 - (PP) Kelowna's Tomas Soustal (Johansen, Merkley) deflects the puck in on the power play for a 2-0 advantage. (KEL 2 - POR 0)
- 2nd @ 18:50 - Joachim Blichfeld (Veloso) fires it past Kelowna goaltender Michael Herringer to cut it to one goal late in the second period. (KEL 2 - POR 1)
- 3rd @ 14:07 - James Hilsendager (Dube, Twarynski) gives the Rockets a 3-1 lead. (KEL 3 - POR 1)
- 3rd @ 18:40 - (EN) Nick Merkley (Gardiner) extends Kelowna's lead to 4-1 with an empty net goal. (KEL 4 - POR 1)
- 3rd @ 19:20 - Ryan Hughes cuts it to 4-2 with 40 seconds left. (KEL 4 - POR 2)
- 3rd @ 19:33 - (EN) Merkley fires home his second empty net goal of the night 13 seconds later to seal Kelowna's 5-2 win. (KEL 5 - POR 2)
Power Play Statistics:
- POR: 25
- KEL: 43
Shots on Goal:
- POR: 0/3
- KEL: 1/7
Goaltending:
- POR: Cole Kehler made 38 saves on 41 Kelowna shots.
- KEL: Michael Herringer made 23 saves on 25 Portland shots.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2017
- Four Cougars Impress this Weekend in the AHL - Prince George Cougars
- Seattle Goes Up 2-0 on Everett - Everett Silvertips
- The Rockets Take a 2-0 Series Lead with a 5-2 Win in Game 2 - Kelowna Rockets
- T-Birds Skate Past Tips to Take 2-0 Series Lead - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hawks Fall 5-2 in Kelowna; Rockets Take 2-0 Series Lead - Portland Winterhawks
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