Payworks Recap: Rockets extend point streak in shootout loss to Winterhawks
The Kelowna Rockets came from behind to force a shootout where they lost to the Portland Winterhawks 6-5 on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR.
Kelowna fell behind, down 5-1 at one point. The Rockets scored four straight goals to tie the game and force extra time. Nolan Flamand netted a pair of goals, while netminder Colby Knight came into the game at the 13:48 minute mark of the second period, stopping all 18 shots he faced during regulation.
Despite the loss, the Rockets point streak now stretches out to eight games – going 6-0-0-2 over that span. Both shootout losses have come at the hands of the Winterhawks.
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Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jaydon Dureau (2) got the Winterhawks on the board with a power play marker 2:30 into the game. Kyle Chyzowski (1) pushed the Hawks out to a two-goal lead. Nolan Flamand (3) cut the lead in half just before the end of the frame when he pounced on a rebound in the slot.
Portland shot out of the gate in the second period with three straight goals, coming from Aidan Litke (4), Tyson Kozak (6) and Cross Hanas (5). Colby Knight replaced Talyn Boyko in net for Kelowna following the fifth goal. Jake Lee (5) scored the lone goal of the period for the Rockets.
Caden Price’s (2) shot deflected past Winterhawks netminder Dante Giannuzzi. Flamand (4) notched his second of the night while on the power play. Steel Quiring (3) tied the game with 2:10 to play in regulation.
It appeared as though the Rockets had scored in overtime with three seconds left on the clock, with the referees signalling a goal on the ice. However, upon video review, Andrew Cristall’s shot rang off the cross bar.
The Rockets shot first in the shootout. Jaydon Dueau (goal), James Stefan (X), Cross Hana (X) were all shooters for Portland.
Jake Lee (X), Mark Liwiski (X), and Pavel Novak (X) fired for the Kelowna.
Scott Cousins, John Babcock and Rilen Kovacevic were the Rockets scratches.
Kelowna’s power play went one-for-four, while the penalty kill shut down two-of-three Portland opportunities.
The Rockets outshot the Winterhawks 39-36.
Kelowna is back in action tomorrow when they take on the Portland Winterhawks again tomorrow night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, puck drop is set for 6:00 PM.
You can watch all Rockets games on WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca.You can also listen to the game on AM1550.