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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Earn 4-3 Victory Over Raiders

December 15, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets' Tij Iginla in action
Kelowna Rockets' Tij Iginla in action
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

The Kelowna Rockets skated away with a last-minute 4-3 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre.

The Rockets gave up the lead three different times. With the game seemingly headed to overtime tied at three, Tij Iginla scored the game-winner with 21 seconds remaining in regulation.

Iginla was named the game's second star after recording a goal and two assists.

Jari Kykkanen made 20 saves on 23 shots to collect his 12th win of the season.

GAME SUMMARY

Seconds after the Rockets first power play came to an end Tij Iginla from the top of the right faceoff dot connected with Max Graham (7) at the backdoor to put the Rockets in the lead 10:49 into the game.

Oli Chenier (3) tied the game 3:44 into the second period after he turned and left a shot from the left faceoff circle that squeaked past goaltender Jari Kykkanen. At the midway point, Tij Iginla fired from the right faceoff circle that Marcus Pacheco (2) deflected past Max Hildebrand. While on the power play Justice Christensen (7) picked up the puck high along the boards and then skated along the blueline, walking high into the slot he shot the puck through traffic past Kykkanen to once again tie the game.

Kelowna retook the lead 4:42 into the third period after Ethan Neutens (5) fired a shot long distance from the left point. With 7:30 to play Max Graham made a hit on Ryder Ritchie, Graham was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing. Justice Christensen immediately dropped the gloves with Graham. During the same stoppage in play, Raider Harrison Lodewyk and Rocket Kayden Sadhra-Kang were also assessed ten-minute misconducts. The Raiders power play was shortened after they were called for too many men. Sloan Stanick's wrap-around chance went through the blue paint to an awaiting Krzysztof Macias (13) in front of the net to tie the game with 2:41 to play in regulation. With time ticking away, Hildebrand couldn't cover Tij Iginla's (24) wrap-around try that was eventually pushed into the net with 21 seconds remaining.

ADDITIONAL STATS

* The Rockets record is now 14-15-2-0 * Kelowna's power play was 1/5 on the night, while Prince Albert was 2/6 with the man advantage * The Rockets outshot the Raiders 25-23 * It was the lone meeting of the season between the two * Rockets leading scorer Andrew Cristall extended his point streak to twelve games that has seen him record 21 points (8G, 13A) over that span

UP NEXT

The Rockets will now head to Saskatoon to face the WHL-leading Blades on Saturday at 5:00 pm PT before heading into the holiday break.

The Rockets next home games are set for December 29 against Kamloops and December 30 against Calgary.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets' Tij Iginla in action
Kelowna Rockets' Tij Iginla in action
(Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2023


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