Rockets Shut Down By Cougars Again
April 14, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets' Marek Rocak versus Prince George Cougars ' Riley Heidt
(Kelowna Rockets)
For the second consecutive night, the Western Conference champion Prince George Cougars held the Kelowna Rockets off the scoresheet in their Western Conference Semi-Final series. After opening the series with a 4-0 win last night, the Cougars blanked the Rockets 5-0 to go up 2-0 in their best of seven series.
In tonight's matchup, goaltender Jari Kykkanen was the talk of the game. Facing 33 shots in game one, the Cougars peppered the Rockets stater with 44 shots tonight in game two where he made several key saves.
Both teams held each other's power play off the scoresheet. Kelowna shut down all six Prince George power plays, while the Rockets four chances were thwarted.
GAME SUMMARY
Riley Heidt (1) intercepted Michael Cicek's pass in the neutral zone, driving up through the left wing he was able to tuck the puck past Kykkanen short side 1:49 into the game. Moments later while the Cougars were on the penalty kill, Riley Heidt was able to pick off the puck from Tij Iginla, passing the it up to Terik Parascak, he took off along the left side on a two-on-one where his shot went off of Kykkanen's glove. Viliam Kmec (3) at the doorstep was able to chip Parasak's rebound over Kykkanen into the net to give Prince George a two-goal lead at 3:58.
The Rockets held the Cougars off until just past the midway point of the second period. Zac Funk (4) poked the puck away from Andrew Cristall at the Prince George blueline, taking off on a two-on-one he dished the puck off to Koehn Ziemmer in the slot, Funk crossing through the crease was able to get the secondary chance to go.
The puck coasted through the neutral zone past three Rockets players and onto the stick of Borya Valis (4), taking off on a breakaway he pushed the Cougars out to a four goal lead 46 seconds into the third period. Late in the period Ziemmer's centring pass found its way past Jackson Gillespie and onto the stick of Oren Shtrom (2) in the slot, where Kykkanen stopped the initial shot but he was able to get his own rebound.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Prince George outshot Kelowna 44-16
Joshua Ravensbergen turned aside 16 shots fired on him to pick up his second consecutive shutout
The Cougars lead the best of seven series 2-0
UP NEXT
This series will now shift back to Kelowna where the Rockets will host the Cougars at Prospera Place on Wednesday, April 16 and Tuesday, April 17 for games three and four.
Tickets can be purchased online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.
Images from this story
 Kelowna Rockets' Marek Rocak versus Prince George Cougars ' Riley Heidt |
Western Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2024
- Saunderson Plays Hero in Overtime, Blades Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Rebels - Saskatoon Blades
- Broncos Drop Game Two to Warriors - Swift Current Broncos
- Cougars Dominate Rockets 5-0 and Take 2-0 Series Lead - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Shut Down By Cougars Again - Kelowna Rockets
- Hawks Win Sixth Straight for 2-0 Series Lead - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Strike Back, Take Game 2 on Saturday - Moose Jaw Warriors
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