A fairly standard first 40 minutes gave way to a wild third period and overtime in Prince George on Tuesday night.
In the end, Dillon Hamaliuk buried a two-on-one feed from Alex Swetlikoff to give the Kelowna Rockets a much needed 5-4 overtime win against the Prince George Cougars.
FINAL: @Kelowna_Rockets (5) at @PGCougars (4) — OT
— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 26, 2020
STATS 📒 | https://t.co/NHL5WLu6GG#PGvsKEL pic.twitter.com/28nek9NR3j
Kaedan Korczak opened the scoring for Kelowna in the first period, but Cole Moberg responded for the home team and the game was tied at one through 20 minutes.
In the second period, Matthew Wedman restored Kelowna lead with the period’s only goal, giving the Rockets a 2-1 lead heading into a frantic final frame.
The twenty-something numbers making things happen.
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 26, 2020
🚨 #20 @m_weds #FlaPanthers
🍏 #27 @JonasPeterek17
🍎 #22 Twitterless Hamaliuk #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/pVSEDB8sS2
In the third, Hamaliuk’s first of the game doubled the Rockets lead, but the Cougars came storming back.
Moberg scored again and Connor Bowie found the back of the net just a few minutes later, tying the game at three with just over seven minutes to play.
With the two teams skating four-on-four, Pavel Novak made a beautiful toe drag on the rush and sniped his 22nd of the season past Tyler Brennan to give Kelowna another lead with under three to play.
However, with just 19 seconds left on the clock, Filip Koffer found the back of the net on a wild scramble in front, sending the game to overtime and setting the stage for Hamaliuk’s heroics.
Our boy 🔨 saves the day! #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/IGqOaybMSQ
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 26, 2020
The two teams will face off once again in Prince George tonight before the Rockets return home to take on the Everett Silvertips at Prospera Place on Friday.
Kelowna has earned five of a possible six points on their current road trip and will look to come home with seven of a possible eight.
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