Rocket Recap: Matthew Wedman scores overtime winner, Rockets halt losing streak
The Kelowna Rockets snapped their six-game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday night at Prospera Place.
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Former Thunderbird captain, Matthew Wedman scored the overtime winner for the Rockets. At the same time, netminder Cole Schwebius, also a former T-Bird, stopped 30 of 32 shots to help Kelowna secure their 22nd victory of the season.
Kyle Topping, Mark Liwiski, Roman Basran, Trevor Wong, Sean Comrie and Kaedan Korczak all returned to the lineup tonight.
“We needed to get that win for sure,” said Head Coach Adam Foote. “I was happy to see that we didn’t’ quit. And you get six guys back like that, there’s always a feel, and guys are trying to find their legs. There was a lot of good things that happened from the guys that came back.”
The Rockets leading goal scorer, Pavel Novak (17) opened the scoring with a one-timer from the right circle just under four minutes into the game. Conner Roulette (15) tied things up with 1:40 left to play in the first.
Simon Kubicek took a shot at the Rockets net that went off of Max Patterson (7) in front, bounced up into the air and landed behind Rockets netminder Cole Schwebius giving the Thunderbirds their first lead of the game during the second period.
Mark Liwiski (6) tied the game once again with 1:52 left in the third period.
Fresh off the injured reserve, @markliwiski13 isn’t missing a beat. pic.twitter.com/ENoYxzfaJx
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 25, 2020
Matthew Wedman (11) wrapped his shot around the net and between the legs of Roddy Ross to lift the Rockets to victory 3:58 into overtime.
“It’s a tip of my cap, that’s a sign of respect,” said Wedman postgame about his goal celebration. “Once a bird always a bird.”
“It was a tip of my cap, a sign of respect. Once a bird always a bird.” – Matthew Wedman said postgame about his celebration against the @SeattleTbirds. https://t.co/RTB1GuATiL
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 25, 2020
The Rockets only surrendered one penalty all game long, killing it off. Kelowna went zero-for-four with the man advantage.
The Rockets are back in action tomorrow night against Vancouver at the Langley Events Centre, puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
