WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Snap 10-Game Winless Drought; Down Americans 3-1

Published on November 20, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


KELOWNA, BC - For just the third time this season, the Tri-City Americans suffered back-to-back losses. Only this time, the loss came at the hands of an opponent who had not defeated Tri-City since the 2005-2006 season.

With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, Evan Bloodoff notched the eventual game-winning goal, as the Kelowna Rockets (14-10-0-0, 28 pts) defeated the Tri-City Americans (14-7-0-2, 30 pts) 3-1. The sold-out crowd of 6,058 fans at Prospera Place saw the Rockets defeat the Americans for the first time since February 23, 2006, a span of 10 consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Americans lost back-to-back games for the first time since their three-game losing skid in late October. Tri-City also missed out on an opportunity take over possession of first-place in the U.S. Division, as the Spokane Chiefs lost 2-0 in Regina.

In what has traditionally spelled success for Tri-City thus far this season, the Americans were the first to light up the scoreboard. With 3:31 remaining in the first period, rookie Brendan Shinnimin took a Jordan Messier pass and beat Kelowna netminder Kris Lazaruk on a wrap-around attempt, putting Tri-City on top 1-0. For Shinnimin, it was his fourth goal of the season and second in his last three games.

However, the Rockets would tie the game late in the second period. With 1:12 remaining in the second period and, after a Colin Long shot was saved by Tri-City goaltender Chet Pickard, a scrum ensued in front of the net. In that mess, Jamie Benn managed to get his stick on the puck and guide it past Pickard, for his league-leading 21st goal of the season. Benn's goal knotted the game at 1 as the teams left the ice for the second intermission.

In the final period, the game seemed destined for overtime until Evan Bloodoff hit the ice with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. Cody Almond was able to break-out Bloodoff, who got past the Tri-City defense and went in all alone on Pickard. Bloodoff beat Pickard, over the glove, for his fourth goal of the season and the eventual game-winner.

With 1:15 remaining in regulation, however, Tri-City received a great opportunity to try and tie the game after the Rockets' Tyson Barrie was called for interference. But, just 19 seconds into the power play and, after the Americans pulled Pickard to make it a 6-on-4 chance, Almond went to clear the puck from his own end and wound up netting it for his 11th goal of the season. Kelowna ended the night 0-for-3 on the power play, while Tri-City was 0-for-5 on the man advantage.

Lazaruk finished the night with 25 saves on 26 shots faced in route to the win. Meanwhile, Pickard stopped 30 of 32 shots in the loss. Since joining Carey Price atop the Americans' All-Time Wins list (83) on November 7, Pickard has gone 0-2-0-1 over his last three starts.

Up next for the Americans on their four-game road trip is a date with the Chilliwack Bruins on Friday, November 21. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Prospera Centre. In their brief two-season history with the Bruins, the Americans hold an 8-1-0-0 record, including a 4-0 record in Chilliwack. However, two of those wins were decided in either overtime or a shootout. The game will be broadcast live, via WHL WebTV, at the Americans' home away from home, Kimo's Sports Café and R.F. McDougall's in Richland, starting at 7:00 p.m. Fans can also catch all the action live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 20, 2008


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