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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Double-up on Thunderbirds, 4-2

November 25, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Seattle Thunderbirds' Bryce Pickford battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
Seattle Thunderbirds' Bryce Pickford battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

Max Graham made the teddy bears rain down at Prospera Place on Saturday night as the Rockets downed the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2.

Graham became the tenth Rocket to score a teddy bear goal, joining current Rocket Andrew Cristall and former Rockets Ryan Olsen, Dillon Dube, Nick Merkley, Conner Bruggen-Cate, Mark Liwiski, Nolan Foote and Logan Peskett.

All bears collected will be donated to Kelowna General Hospital where they will be handed out to patients around the hospital including the pediatric ward.

Andrew Cristall, who made his return to the lineup after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury, was named the game's first star after recording an assist and two goals, including the game-winner. Goaltender Jari Kykkanen made 43 saves on 45 shots.

GAME SUMMARY

Max Graham (6) didn't make the fans wait long to launch their teddys onto the ice as the Rockets forward's shot from the left faceoff circle beat Scott Ratzlaff. Just over three minutes later Tij Iginla (19) from the same faceoff circle pushed Kelowna out to a two-goal lead. As the horn sounded at the end of the period Simon Lovsin's (3) buzzer beater with a second left on the clock pulled Seattle within one.

While on the power play, Andrew Cristall (12) spun and skated from along the point down to the left faceoff circle where he picked off the corner to restore the Rockets two-goal lead.

Sawyer Mynio's (3) power play goal 3:55 into the third frame once again made it a one-goal game, but just under a minute later Cristall (13) responded for Kelowna.

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 9-13-2-0

Both teams were 1/2 on the power play

The Thunderbirds outshot the Rockets 45 to 40

It was the second of four meetings between the two this season, the series is tied 1-1. The two will face each other again on December 2 in Kent, Wa.

The first number drawn for the 50/50 went unclaimed, a new number was drawn and the winner claimed the prize. All 50/50 winners and numbers can be found here.

UP NEXT

Kelowna will host the Wenatchee Wild on Wednesday, November 29 for their final home game before the holiday break. It will be a Fan First Menu night with $2 hot dogs and $5 beer Lucky Lager. The Fan First Menu is available at all Monday to Wednesday regular season games.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Seattle Thunderbirds' Bryce Pickford battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
Seattle Thunderbirds' Bryce Pickford battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
(Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2023


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