Rockets Too Much to Handle for Wheat Kings

Prospera Place was rocking to welcome the boys onto the ice for the first game of the series on home ice. The sellout crowd was rewarded early with a goal at the 6:35 mark.

The Kelowna Rockets for the first time in the series scored the first goal of the game. With Chance Braid in the box for a high-sticking double minor, Leon Draisaitl stole the puck and scored a shorthanded marker on Jordan Papirny.

Leon Draisaitl with the first goal of the game and a shorthanded goal to boot. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

The Wheat Kings responded with a power-play goal on the second half of the double minor, Morgan Klimchuk from the slot with his third of the playoffs.

Just under a minute later, Rourke Chartier with a sic behind the back pass to Gage Quinney on the other post with a gaping wide open net made it 2-1 Rockets.

Rourke Chartier with a behind the back pass to Gage Quinney. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Shots in the period favoured the Rockets by a slim margin of 13-11. Both teams had two power-play chances in the period, but Brandon was the only team to capitalize.

The second period was flat out barn burner hockey with both teams trading quality scoring chances. The big difference though was the Rockets were passing to where teammates were going and Brandon was waiting for passes.


Dillon Dube had the first goal of the period on a pass from Quinney, making it 3-1 at the 4:15 mark.

Dube then had one go in off his skate that was reviewed and waved off.

Dillon Dube had one go off his skate and in. It was waved off after review. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow)

At the 15:02 mark Chartier with his 11th from the side of the net when he tipped a Madison Bowey blast from the middle of the rink at the blue line. Brandon responded 26 seconds later with a tipped goal, credit to Nolan Patrick.

The second ended with both teams doubling their first period totals, making it 4-2.

Old school hockey, lots of hits, goals and end to end action. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Early in the third, the Rockets were awarded almost a full two minute 5 on 3 with Brandon taking two minors 22 seconds apart.

Chartier had twp glorious chances on Papirny to put the game out of reach but could not convert.

After successfully killing off the 5 on 3, Brandon's Tim McGauley scored his 8th of the playoffs to make it 4-3, bringing the Wheat Kings within striking distance of tying the game.

Shortly after that though, Draisaitl, Merkely, and Chartier had a fast break up the ice. Merkley hit Chartier with a cross ice pass, and Chartier shot the one timer for the insurance goal.

With the net empty, Brandon would try again to score but could not get a quality chance in the dying seconds of the game.

Josh Morrissey was charged with a high sticking double minor at the twenty minute mark of the third.

"I thought it was a really high-paced game," said Rockets coach Dan Lambert. "For a while there it was really back and forth. We were exchanging chances, which is probably not what we want to do with Brandon. But we were able to weather the storm and managed to get lucky and get a win."

Jordan Papirny with the third loss in a row, he has played every minute for the Wheat Kings in this series. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Shots on goal favoured the Rockets at 32 - 29.

Jackson Whistle with the third win in a row in this series. He has been stellar when he needed to be. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Brandon went 1 for 3 on the power play while the Rockets were 0 for 5.

Chartier with his second of the game. He was named the game's first star for two goals and one assist. He has been one of the biggest factors in the Rockets' lead in the series. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

Game 4 goes Wednesday night at Prospera Place where the Kelowna Rockets could win the WHL title.