Payworks Recap: Rockets comeback bid falls short in shootout
The Kelowna Rockets came back from a two-goal deficit on Friday night to force a shootout where they ultimately fell 5-4 to the Portland Winterhawks at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.
Pavel Novak netted a pair of goals, while Andrew Cristall scored a highlight-reel goal and added an assist in the loss to the Winterhawks.
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Marek Alscher (2) scored for the Winterhawks 24 seconds into the game. Andrew Cristall (3) tied things up. a few minutes later when he successfully scored a lacrosse goal on Portland goaltender Lochlan Gordon. Tyson Kozak (4) and Pavel Novak (6) traded goals before Ryan McCleary (1) and James Stefan (3) scored two straight to establish a 4-2 lead after the first period.
Jake Poole (4) and Novak (7) both scored for the Rockets in the third period to force overtime for the third straight game.
The two teams exchanged three shots each in five minutes of three-on-three overtime before heading to a shootout.
The Rockets shot first in the shootout. Jake Lee (goal), Mark Liwiski (goal), Pavel Novak (X), Colton Dach (X) and Nolan Flamand (X) fired for the Kelowna.
Cross Hanas (X), Jaydon Dueau (goal), Dawson Pasternak (X), Gabe Klassen (X) and James Stefan (goal) were all shooters for Portland.
Uh yeah, that's 16-year-old Andrew Cristall pulling off the lacrosse goal against who else….the Portland Winterhawks!
🚨 @AndrewCristall
🍎 @John_babcock04
🍏 @WightmanDylan pic.twitter.com/pma0Nkmrot— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 6, 2021
The Rockets outshot the Winterhawks 38-27.
Colby Knight started in net for the Rockets, he made three saves on six shots before being replaced by Cole Tisdale. Tisdale stopped 20 of the 21 shots fired on him.
Scott Cousins, Rilen Kovacevic and Elias Carmichael were the Rockets scratches.
The Rockets record moves to 4-3-0-1.
Kelowna is set to continue their homestand on Saturday when they host the Prince George at Prospera Place. A limited number of single-game tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
The current B.C. Provincial Health Office restrictions allow for 50% capacity at Prospera Place. All fans attending will need to abide by the BC Provincial Health Authority, Prospera Place and the Western Hockey League‘s recently announced COVID-19 health and safety requirements which includes masks, double vaccination and their BC vaccine card.
