Hawks Take 3-0 Series Lead on Rockets
March 27, 2012 – Kelowna, BC
The Portland Winterhawks pushed the Kelowna Rockets to the brink of elimination with a 6-3 win on Tuesday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
Ty Rattie and Sven Bartschi each had two goals and two assists as the Winterhawks grabbed a 3-0 series lead on Kelowna in their first round Western Hockey League series.
“I liked our effort tonight but we’re having a hard time containing that line,” said Rockets coach Ryan Huska on the AM 1150 post game show. “They’ve scored the bulk of their goals in the series. I thought we had some push tonight. I thought we created more chances and we were phsyical without taking penalties.”
Damon Severson scored twice for the Rockets while Cole Martin also scored for Kelowna, who were outshot 46-41 but were in the game from the get-go.
“I thought we were much more desperate tonight,” said Rockets captain Colton Sissons. “It’s not quite where we need to be but it was a huge step from game two.”
Kelowna made the score 2-2 late in the second period before Rattie’s sixth of the playoffs with just 41 seconds left in the second period put the Winterhawks up for good.
Adam Brown was solid in net for Kelowna and was named the third star of the game.
The Rockets made the score 4-3 late in the third period but the Winterhawks scored two empty net goals to put the game away.
Game four in the series is Thursday night in Kelowna as the Rockets will look to stave off elimination after an off day in the series on Wednesday.
