Payworks Recap: Szturc’s overtime goal completes Rockets comeback over Royals
The Kelowna Rockets made yet another third-period comeback this season, this time to down the Victoria Royals 5-4 in overtime on Friday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC
Both Pavel Novak and Jake Poole made their return to the Rockets lineup; Novak missed the Rockets last three games due to illness, Poole had not played since January 29th due to appendicitis.
Down by a pair of goals in the third, Max Graham and Tyson Feist found the back of the net in the last half of the third period to force overtime. Import rookie Gabriel Szturc sealed the deal in overtime with his first career overtime goal.
With the victory, the Rockets record improves to 32-14-1-3. They currently sit second in the BC Division and fifth in the BC Division with 68 points.
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Pavel Novak (23) got Kelowna on the board first after whacking it past Campbell Arnold. Moments later, while shorthanded, Turner McMillen went five-hole, but the goal was waved off due to too many men. With their power play now a five on three, Gannon Laroque (8) tied the game. Tanner Scott (12) outraced a Rocket defender to give Victoria their first lead of the game before the end of the opening period.
Bailey Peach (29) pushed Victoria out to a two-goal lead on the power play before the midway point of the second period. Mark Liwiski (18) charged up the ice and drove the net to pull the Rockets within one.
Wyatt Wilson (2) restored the Royals two-goal cushion. Max Graham‘s (9) floater through traffic and Tyson Feist’s (13) shot from the point were enough to force overtime.
Gabriel Szturc (12) ended things 1:29 into extra time when he cut in front of the Royals net, beating Arnold.
CARDIAC KIDS!!! GABBY GETS IT DONE IN OT!!!!@GSzturc pic.twitter.com/T9QzcdVooH
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) March 5, 2022
Kelowna heavily outshot the Royals 50-28. Talyn Boyko picked up his 22nd win of the season, turning aside 24 of the 28 shots he faced.
Kelowna did not have a power play the entire game, while Victoria was two-for-three with the man advantage.
The Rockets will be back in action tomorrow night when they host the Vancouver Giants at Prospera Place (season ticket holders, please use your game number 28 tickets). Tickets for Saturday, as well as all other Rockets games, are available at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050. Select Your Tickets is open 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and opens at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday home game days.
All fans attending Rockets games will need to abide by the BC Provincial Health Authority, Prospera Place and the Western Hockey League‘s COVID-19 health and safety requirements which includes masks, double vaccination and their vaccine card.
