Rockets Taken Down by Thunderbirds
December 2, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Seattle Thunderbirds' Sam Popowich, Luca Hauf, and Simon Lovsin versus Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)
The Seattle Thunderbirds came back on in the third period to down the Kelowna Rockets 3-2 on Saturday night in Kent, WA.
Max Graham's backhand pass from along the left boards was intercepted by Gracyn Sawchyn (4) at the left faceoff dot, he then cut across the crease with the puck and beat Jari Kykkanen with a backhand shot to make the teddy bears rain down 4:55 into the game. After a short stoppage in play to clean the bears off the ice, Tij Iginla (20) quickly responded at 7:20 by picking the bouncing puck off of T-Bird defender Hyde Davidson in the right faceoff circle, in alone he beat Scott Ratzlaff at the near post while the goaltender was down.
Ethan Mittelsteadt's (1) power play onetimer pushed Kelowna ahead 8:39 into the second period.
The Thunderbirds tied the game 6:16 into the third period with a goal from Luca Hauf (8). Sam Popowich (5) skated into the Rockets zone 2:48 later, letting a shot fly that would hold up as the eventual game winner.
ADDITIONAL STATS
The Rockets record is now 11-14-2-0
Kelowna was 1/2 with the power play, Seattle went 1/5 on the man advantage
The T-Birds outshot the Rockets 29-27
It was the third of four meetings between the two this season, the T-Birds lead the series 2-1. The two will wrap up the season series on January 10 at Prospera Place
Gabriel Szturc recorded his 100th career WHL assist on Tij Iginla's goal
Kayden Sadhra-Kang, who was acquied from Brandon on Thursday, made his debut with the Rockets
UP NEXT
Kelowna will hit the road for their East Division road swing ahead of the holiday break starting on Saturday against the Regina Pats.
The Rockets next home game is December 29, when they'll host the Kamloops Blazers for the first time this season at Prospera Place.
Images from this story
 Seattle Thunderbirds' Sam Popowich, Luca Hauf, and Simon Lovsin versus Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc (Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds) |
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Western Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2023
- Pats Snap Losing-Streak with 6-5 Shootout Win - Regina Pats
- Halaburda Hat-Trick Powers Giants to 6-3 Win - Vancouver Giants
- Rockets Taken Down by Thunderbirds - Kelowna Rockets
- Wild Stun Hawks in Overtime - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs' Comeback Falls Short as High-Powered Cougars Win 6-3 on Teddy Bear Toss Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Doubled-up by Giants - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Earn Second Win on US Trip with 6-3 Win in Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Lindstrom Makes It Rain in Tigers' Teddy Bear Toss Win oOver Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Silvertips Close Out Road Trip with 3-2 Shootout Loss in Red Deer - Everett Silvertips
- Wild Stun Hawks in OT - Portland Winterhawks
- Kykkanen, Rockets Shut out Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Preview: Americans vs Giants - December 2 - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Chiefs Host Cougars in Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game Saturday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 27 vs Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Look to Continue Winning Ways into Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Stuck in a Funk in Loss to Cougars - Tri-City Americans
- Wild Fans Toss Bears, Hats as Wenatchee Trounces Portland Friday, 8-3 - Wenatchee Wild
- Rockets Shut Down Giants - Vancouver Giants
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