Rockets-T-Birds
March 22, 2013 – Kelowna, BC
The Seattle Thunderbirds defeated the Kelowna Rockets 5-4 in overtime in game one of the team’s WHL Western Conference quarterfinal series on Friday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
Seattle’s Luke Lockhart scored the game winner with 51 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Thunderbirds a hard fought win. Lockhart had tied the game in the third period to force overtime.
“In the room we’re not happy with the way we came out,” said Rockets’ defenceman MacKenzie Johnston on the AM 1150 post game show. “We came out flat and they outworked us. We’re going to come out harder tomorrow. Dropping one in our barn is unacceptable.”
The Rockets led 2-1 after the first period on goals by Damon Severson and Dylan McKinlay.
Seattle forged ahead in the second period, taking a 3-2 lead, before Tyson Baillie tied the game at 3-3 at the end of two. Myles Bell put Kelowna ahead 4-3 in the third but Lockhart forced overtime with 6:30 to play in regulation.
View some pictures from the game here
Rockets netminder Jordon Cooke 
was excellent in net, especially in overtime, when he faced 15 Seattle shots. The T-Birds outshot Kelowna 50-39 in the game and 15-8 in overtime.
“I thought we were nervous to come out but as the game wore on I thought they outworked us,” said Rockets head coach Ryan Huska. “They played hard and competed and won the little battles. We have to get back to how we have to play as a group.”
Attendance at Prospera Place was 5,467. Game two in the series goes Saturday night at Prospera Place
Buy Kelowna Rockets Tickets Here, call 250-762-5050 or drop by the Prospera Place box office.
