Leon Draisaitl had a bit of a homecoming, playing in Rexall Place, the home of the Edmonton Oilers in the Oil Kings vs the Rockets contest on Wednesday night.
Another interesting note in the game, the Morrissey brothers playing in their first game ever, the veteran D-man Josh and the rookie Jake in between the pipes.
Rockets got off to a rocky start in the first half. Riley Stadel decided to wake the boys up by picking Aaron Irving as a dance partner. Both were given five minute fighting majors.
That seemed to ignite the Rockets as less than two minutes later, Joe Gateby blew one by Tristan Jarry who was screened by Draisaitl.
photo credit - KelownaNow - Joe Gatenby with the only goal in the game for the Rockets.
The first period ended with the 1-0 advantage for the Rockets, shots favouring the Oil Kings 11-9.
Penalty troubles for the Rockets resulted in the first goal for the Oil Kings, Dyson Mayo with a blast from the point beating Morrissey over the blocker.
The second period ended 1-1 and shots even at 11 each.
The Rockets started the third on the power-play with 1:49 left on the call that came late in the second.
Good pressure by the Rockets forced the Oil Kings to take a delay of game penalty and get a five on three. Rockets take the time out and load up with Madison Bowey and Morrissey blasting away, but nothing makes it past Jarry.
Nothing was solved in the third or the overtime period. A shoot-out for the second night in a row for the Rockets would be needed to decide the winner.
This time it would be Edmonton that would claim the victory after the star of the game, Tristan Jarry robbed Rourke Chartier with a big glove save. Chartier shot in fourth spot after Nick Merkley (scored) and Bowey and Draisaitl could not convert. The third and fourth shooter for Edmonton scored after Morrissey stopped the first two.
The Rockets power-play went 0 for 8 against the 3rd best penalty killers in the league. The final score 2-1 for the Oil Kings.
The Rockets will get one night off before facing Lethbridge on Friday and Kootenay on Saturday.
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