Hawks Stop Kelownas Home Winning Streak With 5-3 W
Feb. 8, 2013 – Kelowna, BC
The Portland Winterhawks defeated the Kelowna Rockets 5-3 on Friday night in Kelowna, ending the Rockets 23 game home winning streak in an entertaining battle between the top two teams in the WHL’s Western Conference.
The Winterhawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two periods of play before Kelowna began a spirited comeback in the third period, cutting the ‘Hawks lead to 4-3 late in the game, before an emtpy net goal decided it.
JT Barnett, Cody Fowlie and Colton Sissons scored third period goals for the Rockets, whose home winning streak fell one short of the Tacoma Rockets franchise record but stands as the longest home streak since the team moved to Kelowna and the sixth longest home streak in Canadian Hockey League history.
“When they had an opportunity they capitalized on their chances and that was the difference in the game,” said Rockets head coach Ryan Huska on the AM 1150 post game show. “We had some good chances and we missed some good opporunities. But I was pretty proud of our guys for staying resilient and getting back into the hockey game.”
Taylor Leier scored twice for Portland while Presten Kopeck, Nic Petan and Brendan Leipsic also scored for the Hawks, who improved to 44-8-1-2. Kelowna fell to 40-12-3-1 on the season.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night in Kelowna.
Tickets are available. Buy Kelowna Rockets Tickets here, at the Prospera Place box office, or phone 250-762-5050.
.
