Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Rockets suffer heartbreaking loss to Thunderbirds in game 3

The Kelowna Rockets deserved a win on Tuesday night, but ultimately the Seattle Thunderbirds took the series lead by a 2-1 score.

This was one of those games in the WHL playoffs that has fans on the edge of their seats as they watch two talented teams battle back and forth. However, the Rockets were quite clearly the better team in this game, holding the Thunderbirds to just 14 shots on net and controlling most of the play throughout the game.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

The first period was a tight battle, but in the second the Rockets came alive and peppered T-Birds' netminder Carl Stankowski with shots, but the kid was just too good. Halfway through the period though, the T-Birds got on the board as Keegan Kolesar beat Michael Herringer after receiving a perfect pass from Ryan Gropp.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

The Rockets were playing a bit desperate in the third, but it was working. They continued to put shots on net, and they were rewarded when Nick Merkley's shot bounced off the top of the net and was batted in by Calvin Thurkauf to tie things up. The T-Birds seemed defeated and were simply looking to get the puck out of their end, but with 20 seconds remaining in the period Kolesar netted his second of the game to give his team a 2-1 series lead.

Rockets' hero Reid Gardiner was held off the scoresheet for the first time in 10 games, as the T-Birds stuck to him like glue and took him into the boards every chance they had. Along with goal scorer Calvin Thurkauf, Nick Merkley and Dillon Dube were the shining Rockets' forwards in Tuesday's game.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

And the defence... While the rookies have made appearances, Gordie Ballhorn, Cal Foote, Lucas Johansen, James Hilsendager and Devante Stephens have been outstanding in the post-season, and especially on Tuesday. Holding the T-Birds to just 14 shots, these boys were stellar.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

Michael Herringer didn't see a lot of action as he stopped 12 Seattle shots, while Carl Stankowski wowed at the other end with 34 saves.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

Game four will be at Prospera Place on Wednesday, April 26th before the series moves back to Washington for game five on Friday, April 28th.

Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
15℃

weather-icon
Mon
17℃

weather-icon
Tue
16℃

weather-icon
Wed
12℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy