Underway: Rockets Hosting T-Birds
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 Wednesday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
It was the team’s fifth win in a row overall, its sixth straight on home ice and 11th victory in 12 games.
Spencer Main scored the game winning goal early in the third period when he backhanded a shot from the left face-off circle that eluded Seattle netminder Calvin Pickard.
Seattle’s Marcel Noebels closed the gap to one with a deflection in front of the Rockets net, making the score 3-2 in the third but Kelowna closed the door after that, allowing just six shots against in the third period to earn the win.
Adam Brown faced 22 shots to earn the win in net.
It was 1-1 after the first period until Mitchell Callahan put the Rockets up :28 seconds into the second period. Callahan converted on a 2-on-1 with Zach Franko. Franko made a nice move around a sliding Seattle defenceman, then hit Callahan, who moved to his backhand and put his 13th goal of the season into the top corner.
Franko, who opened the scoring for the Rockets, was named the game’s first star. Franko found a loose puck near the crease and shovelled home his sixth goal of the season.
It was a power play goal that was called on Seattle when an instigator penalty was handed to Jake Doty, who challenged Kelowna’s Jessey Astles after a big hit by Astles along the boards.
Astles was a physical force during the game. In the third period the second year player had three hits and a fight, all on the same shift.
Seattle opened the scoring at 3:07 of the first period. Brenden Dillon one-timed a quick snap shot from the slot to give the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead.
The win improved Kelowna’s record to 15-11-0-0 on the season.
The Rockets are back in action Friday night when they travel to Chilliwack. On Saturday the Rockets play host to the Saskatoon Blades. Check for tickets here.