B.C. Division

Rockets Weekend Wrap Up: Third Straight Weekend Split To Start The Season

Written by Kevin Olenick on

For the third straight weekend, the Rocket finished with a 1-1 record.

Game versus Vancouver

On Friday, versus Vancouver, special teams and a five-goal second period hurt the Kelowna Rockets at the Langley Event Centre.

The Vancouver Giants scored four powerplay goals and two shorthanded goals en route to a 7-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets.

The Giants were led offensively by Justin Sourdif, with two goals and two assists. One of Sourdif’s goals was shorthanded.  Fabian Lysell also starred with one goal and three assists. Adam Hall scored one of the Giants’ shorthanded goals and assisted on Ty Halaburda’s first-ever WHL goal. Ty Thorpe and Connor Horning also scored powerplay goals for the Giants.

 

Colton Dach had one goal and an assist. He also had five shots on goal. Jake Poole scored the other goal for the Rockets.

Not only were the Giants four for five on the powerplay, but their two shorthanded goals also outscored the Rockets’ one powerplay goal. Kelowna would finish the night one for four on the power play.

Colby Knight played the first two periods for the Rockets. He made 22 saves on 29 shots.  Cole Tisdale mopped up in the third and made 11 saves.

Jesper Vikman made  26 saves on 28 shots for the Giants.

The Giants completed a home-and-home sweep over the Rockets. The Giants beat the Rockets 2-0 last Saturday. They will face each other on Wednesday in Kelowna.

Game versus Victoria

On Saturday, Pavel Novak got a hat trick, and Jake Poole scored with 18 seconds left in overtime as the Rockets won 5-4 in overtime over the Victoria Royals at Prospera Place.

Novak scored two goals in the first period to give the Rockets a 2-1 lead after one. However, Riley Gannon and Tanner Scott scored two quick goals 52 seconds into the second period to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. Mark Liwiski scored his first of the year at 10:30 of the second to tie it at 3-3.

Jason Spizawka’s first of the year at 4:23  gave the Royals the 4-3 lead. They were hoping that would end their nine-game losing streak. However, Novak got his hat trick goal at 7:46 of the third period to tie the game. It’s Novak’s second hat trick of his career.

Colby Knight made a big save on Brayden Schurmann in overtime. Then he got the assist on Poole’s winning goal. He also made 20 saves. Liwiski added two assists. Colton Dach had an assist and, like Friday in Vancouver, had five shots on goal. Caden Price set up Poole on the winning goal.

In addition to Gannon’s goal in the second, he opened the scoring in the game. In goal, Tyler Palmer made 37 saves on 42 shots for the Royals.

The Rockets split this weekend gives them a record of 3-3 for six points. While the Royals do get an overtime point, the losing streak goes to 10 games. They are 1-10-1 on the season.

Next Game

The Rockets return home Wednesday night to face the Vancouver Giants at 7:05 pm PST. Kelowna will have to be more disciplined if they want to finally beat the Giants this season as they are 0-2 versus Vancouver so far this campaign.