The Kelowna Rockets made a comeback to make a game of it against the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday (Nov. 9) night but fell short in overtime.
Caden Price (3) put Kelowna up 1-0 halfway through the first period. Spokane then reeled off four straight goals, starting at 11:42 of the first and continuing to 8:29 of the second. Rasmus Ekstrom (8), Berkly Catton (10) with two goals, and Shea Van Olm (17) scored for the Chiefs, making it 4-1.
The Rockets got one back late in the second as Price (4) scored on the power play to make it 4-2. Andrew Cristall (8) pulled Kelowna to within one, 4-3, at 2:36 of the third period with another power-play goal.
Cohen Harris (2) put Spokane up 5-3 just over two minutes later. Halfway through the period, Hiroki Gojsic (3) found the back of the net on the power play to pull the Rockets within one goal again, 5-4, and then scored the tying goal five minutes later, making it 5-5.
Overtime was short-lived, however, as Spokane’s Brayden Campton (3) scored the winner just 0:51 in.
Several Rockets had multi-point nights, including Marek Rocak with four assists. Spokane outshot Kelowna 42-39, and Rockets goaltender Jari Kykkanen made 36 saves. Kelowna went 3/5 on the power play.
Saturday’s loss follows a 2-1 Rockets home win against the Saskatoon Blades on Nov. 8. With a record of 6-7-1-1, Kelowna is in ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Rockets wrap up their three game home stand on Wednesday (Nov. 13) against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place.