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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Downed by Thunderbirds

April 2, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc and Seattle Thunderbirds' Nolan Allan in action
Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc and Seattle Thunderbirds' Nolan Allan in action
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)

The Seattle Thunderbirds were able to push their way past the Kelowna Rockets in the third period at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, WA on Saturday night.

The eighth-seeded Rockets held their own for 40 minutes against the top-ranked T-Birds.

Kelowna fell behind in the first period on a power play goal, but the Rockets were able to battle back in the second period and tie the game. Much like the night before, Seattle was able to pull ahead in the third period with two unanswered goals before adding an empty net goal.

Jari Kykkanen was in net again for the Rockets, facing 47 shots he was able to turn aside 44 of them.

GAME SUMMARY

With Turner McMillen sitting in the penalty box, Jared Davidson made a cross-ice feed to set up Dylan Guenther (3) with a one-timer at the backdoor to push Seattle out to a 1-0 lead 12:02 into the game. Seconds later the Rockets took another penalty that they were able to kill off.

Carson Golder's shot rang off the post but landed in around the blue paint, Adam Kydd was able to work the puck back into the crease where Dylan Wightman (1) jammed it past Thomas Milic to tie the game.

Lucas Ciona (1) snuck behind the Rockets defence, Jari Kykkanen got a piece of Ciona's shot as it trickled behind him and sat on the goal line. Caden Price tried to push it out of the paint, but Ciona wrapped around the net and pushed it in to restore the T-Birds lead just before the midway point of the third period. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nolan Allan's (1) shot found its way through Jari Kykkanen's five-hole to give Seattle a two-goal cushion. Jared Davidson (1) iced the game with an empty netter.

ADDITIONAL STATS

Seattle outshot Kelowna 48-26

Lucas Ciona was the first star, Nolan Allan was the second and Jari Kykkanen was the third star of the night

The Rockets were 0/1 on the power play, while the Thunderbirds were 1/4

Seattle now holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series

RELATED LINKS

Box Score

UP NEXT

The series will shift to Kelowna for game three on Tuesday, April 4 and game four on Wednesday, April 5 at Prospera Place - puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.

Single-game tickets for both home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc and Seattle Thunderbirds' Nolan Allan in action
Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc and Seattle Thunderbirds' Nolan Allan in action
(Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2023


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