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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Taken Down by Cougars, 6-5

March 14, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Prince George Cougars' Hudson Thornton versus Kelowna Rockets' Max Graham
Prince George Cougars' Hudson Thornton versus Kelowna Rockets' Max Graham
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

For the ninth consecutive game the Kelowna Rockets picked up a point as they fell 6-5 in overtime to the BC Division champion Prince George Cougars on Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The Cougars, who are ranked first on this week's CHL Top Ten Rankings, held a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.

"It's a huge point," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame interview. "Down 4-1 heading into the third period for our guys to battle back the way they did with two or three minutes left in the game with the lead against the number one team in the country."

The Rockets, who are now 7-0-1-1 in their last eight have climbed to within a point of Wenatchee who sit fourth in the Western Conference with two games in hand on Kelowna.

GAME SUMMARY

The game started off with fireworks as there were two fights within the three-minute mark of the puck being dropped. The Cougars found the back of the net first after Matteo Danis (9) redirected Oren Shtrom's shot past Kykkanen at 5:10. Hiroki Gojsic (21) following up behind Tij Iginla tied things up at 11:27. Terik Parascak (37) would restore the Giants lead late in the period.

At the midway of the second period Borya Valis (22) extended the Cougs lead after Kykkanen misplayed the puck onto his stick. Zac Funk (64) added a power play goal to give Prince George a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.

Andrew Cristall found Max Graham (17) streaking to the net to get the Rockets offence going 1:43 into the third period. Kelowna continued to pile on with three more goals in a span of 1:37 off of the blades of Michael Cicek (8), Andrew Cristall (39), Tij Iginla (46) to take the lead and force the Cougars into pulling starter Joshua Ravensbergen. Oren Shtrom (11) shot from the left faceoff circle went post and in to tie the game with 2:28 to go in regulation.

In overtime, while on a delayed call, Ondrej Becher handed the puck off to Hudson Thornton (16) who ripped a shot through traffic past Kykkanen to secure the victory for Prince George

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 31-28-4-1

Rockets goaltender Jari Kykkanen stopped 34 of 40 shots fired his way

Kelowna was 0/2 with the man advantage, while the Prince George power play went 1/2

The Cougars outshot the Rockets 40-23

UP NEXT

The Rockets will hit the road to kick off a home and home series with the Everett Silvertips that starts on Friday. The two will then shift back to Prospera Place, where Chick Jagger will be playing live music throughout the game.

Single Game Tickets for all Rockets games 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.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Prince George Cougars' Hudson Thornton versus Kelowna Rockets' Max Graham
Prince George Cougars' Hudson Thornton versus Kelowna Rockets' Max Graham
(Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2024


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