Backed by a two-goal performance from Fabian Lysell and Zack Ostapchuk, The Vancouver Giants knocked off the Kelowna Rockets 5-3 at Prospera Place.
The @Kelowna_Rockets fall 5-3 to Giants. Every time Kelowna drew within a single goal, the G-Men got the next one. Drop first game in regulation time this season. Now 10-6-0-2 on season. Now three straight on road against the ‘big dogs’.
— Regan Bartel (@Reganrant) December 2, 2021
Lysell scored the first goal of the game for the Giants and the second. The goals came at 6:21 in the first and then with 39 seconds left in the opening frame.
The Rockets were undaunted. Mark Liwiski scored at 3:40 to cut the lead in half, while Colton Dach tied the game on the power play. The tie only lasted 96 seconds as Adam Hall gave the Giants the 3-2 lead heading into the third.
Pavel Novak hits 🔟 goals on the season with this blind shot.
🚨 @pnovak111
🍎 @GSzturc #mnwild | @mnwild pic.twitter.com/CADCqbiUBA— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 2, 2021
The Rockets came back again to tie it at 3-3 on team-leading scorer Pavel Novak’s 10th goal at 4:56 of the third. But Zack Ostapchuk scored at 8:54 of the third and knocked in the insurance goal at 16:18 to seal the victory.
The win accomplished two things for the Giants. First, they handed the Rockets their first home regulation loss of the season. The Rockets are now 7-10-1 at home this season. But more importantly, the Giants passed the Rockets to move into second place in the B.C. Division.
Along with Lysell’s two goals, Lysell assisted on both Ostapchuk’s goals for a four-point night. Justin Sourdif also has two assists. Ostapchuk is also becoming a dagger in the Kelowna Rockets season this season. All of Ostapchuk’s three goals this year have been in Kelowna. His first in eight games
The Rockets outshot the Giants 41-24; however, the Giants were two for two on the power play. The Rockets were 1 for 4. Jesper Vikman made 38 saves for the win for the Giants. Talyn Boyko made 19 saves for the loss for the Rockets.
The Giants move to 11-7-1 for 23 points. They are one point ahead of the 10-6-0-2 Rockets at 22 points. The Giants host the number 2 ranked Kamloops Blazers on Friday. On Saturday, the Rockets head to Kamloops to start a three-game road trip that includes facing the Seattle Thunderbirds, and the CHL’s number 3 ranked Everett Silvertips.
