Rockets Lose To Winterhawks in Game Two

The Kelowna Rockets played a much better game in the second of their double header vs the Portland Winterhawks even though the final score was identical to last nights score. Both were 4-3 losses to the Winterhawks, tonight's game was a bit different in that it was the Rockets that had to climb a hill after falling behind 3-0 after two periods of play.

Chase De Leo's shot on the powerplay gets past Jackson Whistle in the first period

Last night's first star, Chase De Leo scored the first goal on the powerplay at the 13:50 mark of the first. Portland added two more in the second, Oliver Bjorkstrand with one and Dominic Turgeon received credit for one that a Rockets forward accidentally deflected past Jackson Whistle.

NIck Petan working his magic, he had one assist on the night.

Facing their first back to back loss of the season and second loss at home, the Rockets pushed hard to fight their way out of the 3-0 deficit. Madison Bowey on a 4-3 advantage for the Rockets blasted one past Adin Hill. With the Rockets shorthanded at the 13:00 minute mark, hard work by Colton Heffley and Rourke Chartier ended up with Chartier putting one up in the top shelf over the shoulder of Hill.

Adin Hill with a big glove save with Rodney Southam in front.

But the Rockets would not get through the penalty unscathed as Miles Koules scored on the man advantage making it 4-2.

With the net empty, Chartier would score one at the 19:25 mark from the opposite side of the net into the top shelf, both goals by Chartier worthy of the highlight reel.

Rourke Chartier with 2 goals and 1 assist on the night was named the game's second star. He leads the WHL with 26 goals and is tied with linemate Nick Merkley with 45 points.

Time would run out for the Rockets just as Lady Luck was starting to warm up to the Rockets. In the first she was clearly on the side of the visitors, with many posts, missed one timers, and just bad bounces in the favour of the Winterhawks.

Several scuffles broke out in the game including this one between Riley Stadel and Axel Overhardt

The Rockets went 1 for 4 on the powerplay, Portland went 2 for 5, Kelowna outshot Portland 37-32 and lost the game 4-3 and now have a 21-2-3-0 record.

An unlikely pair toss their gloves, Nick Petan and Nick Merkley.

The Rockets now head to a Wednesday night match-up against the Americans in Tri-City before coming back to Kelowna next Saturday to play the first of four straight at Prospera Place against Regina.