Rockets Over Vancouver In WHL Preseason

The Kelowna Rockets scored two third period goals to come from behind and defeat the Vancouver Giants 4-3 in WHL preseason play on Friday night in Ladner.

Newcomer Ryan Olsen scored the winner midway through the third period as the Rockets opened the WHL preseason on a winning note. Tyson Baillie had tied the game at 3-3 with a goal just minutes earlier.

It was the first game of a double-header between the two teams this weekend. Kelowna will host Vancouver at Prospera Place on Saturday night.

Cole Linaker and Stewart Coyle also scored for the Rockets while Jordan Cooke faced 40 shots in the Kelowna net to earn the win.

Game Summary:

Kelowna Rockets 4 at Vancouver Giants 3 – Status: Final
Friday, August 31, 2012 – Ladner, BC

Kelowna 0 2 2 – 4
Vancouver 1 2 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Vancouver, Franson 1 (Burns, Kohlhauser), 12:46.

Penalties-Martin Kel (hooking), 0:58; Popoff Van (interference), 5:21.

2nd Period-2, Vancouver, Popoff 1 (Kilnar, Ast), 1:37. 3, Kelowna, Linaker 1 (Coyle), 2:54. 4, Vancouver, Franson 2 (Sward, Burns), 5:53. 5, Kelowna, Coyle 1 (Kirkland, Lees), 19:31 (PP).

Penalties-Martin Kel (hooking), 9:29; Nyberg Kel (holding), 14:26; Sward Van (high sticking), 18:14.

3rd Period-6, Kelowna, Baillie 1   9:51. 7, Kelowna, Olsen 1 (Rigby, Coyle), 11:03.

Penalties-Nielsen Van (high sticking), 1:31; Olsen Kel (roughing), 3:31; Franson Van (roughing), 3:31; Orban Van (holding), 12:08; Vasko Kel (holding), 14:54; Burns Van (hooking), 16:18.

Shots on Goal-Kelowna 15-14-6-35. Vancouver 14-12-14-40.
Power Play Opportunities-Kelowna 1 / 5; Vancouver 0 / 4.
Goalies-Kelowna, Cooke 1-0-0-0 (40 shots-37 saves). Vancouver, Liston 0-0-0-0 (16 shots-15 saves); Lee 0-1-0-0 (19 shots-16 saves).
A-543
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Adam Griffiths (36).
Linesmen-Nick Bilko (66).