Rockets Edge Cougars 7-6 in OT in a Back and Forth Frenzy
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Prince George Cougars 7-6 in overtime on Friday night at the CN Centre in Prince George.
Nolan Foote got the Rockets on the board first with his first of the year on the power play 3:20 into the opening period. Jared Bethune(2) tied things up for the Cougars at 12:27 before Dennis Cholowski(2) pulled Prince George ahead just over a minute later. The Cougars held that lead into the middle frame.
Kody McDonald(4) was credited with the Cougars third goal early in the second as the puck deflected off of a Rockets defenceman to give PG a two goal cushion. Just under a minute later Erik Gardiner(1) responded for Kelowna to draw them within one, recording the Rockets first shorthanded goal of the season. The Cougars scored a power play marker at 9:49 to pull themselves back ahead by two. Rockets rookie Colum McGauley continued the see-saw battle as he scored his first career WHL goal but the celebration was cut short as Jackson Leppard quickly responded for Prince George. The score was 5-3 Prince George after 40 minutes of play.
The Rockets continued the trend of trading goals as Erik Gardiner scored his second of the night 45 seconds into the period to make it 5-4 before Dillon Dube ended that trend by tying the game 5-5 just under three minutes later. Josh Maser(2) replied for Prince George to take the lead once again, but Kole Lind(5) scored late in the third for the Rockets to knot the game at 6-6 and it was headed to overtime.
2:38 into the extra frame Kole Lind(6) ended the wild night in the Rockets favour finishing off a 2-on-1 with Dillon Dube. Rockets win 7-6.
Both Brodan Salmond and the Rockets improve to 3-1-0-1 on the season.
Erik Gardiner (2G, 1A), Kole Lind (2G, 1A), Dillon Dube (1G, 2A), Nolan Foote (1G, 1A), and Carsen Twarynski (2A) all enjoyed multi-point nights.
The Rockets and Cougars are right back at it tomorrow night at the CN Centre in Prince George, puck drop goes at the same time, 7:00pm.
Kelowna is back home on Friday, October 13th, when the Calgary Hitmen come to Prospera Place. Puck drop is 7:05pm.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
