Rockets Earn 4-1 Victory Over Cougars In Kelowna

By 250 News

Although James Priestner made some dazzling saves in goal for the Prince George Cougars, the Kelowna Rockets got the upper hand in the second period and pulled away for a 4-1 victory at Prospera Place in Kelowna Friday night.

The Cougars were looking to avenge a 6-2 loss to Kelowna on November 2 and Priestner made certain in the first period he wasn't going to be easy to beat.  Priestner was busy in the final five minutes of the first frame and made a brilliant glove save on Andreas Stene, who ripped a wrist shot on net from the slot.  It was scoreless after one period with the Rockets out-shooting Prince George 10-9.

In the second period, Priestner's counterpart, Adam Brown, stole the show early, making big saves of his own to keep the game scoreless.  The Rockets would finally break through on a power play goal by Shane McColgan at 7:18, moments after Priestner had made another terrific save on Mitchell Callahan.  The Rockets would get another goal at 9:59, this time off the stick of Jesse Astles for a 2-0 lead.  The Rockets out-shot Prince George 9-8 in the middle frame.

Prince George produce Brett Bulmer would get a back breaking goal in the third period for Kelowna, scoring on a 2-on-1 rush at 13:21.  Brock Hirsche would get his fourth goal of the year and third in as many games for the Cougars with 1:55 left to play, cutting the Rockets lead to 3-1.  Hirsche banged home a rebound in front of Brown off a point shot from Cody Carlson.  But Callahan would put the game out of reach with an empty net goal for a 4-1 Rockets win, Kelowna's sixth straight victory to improve to 10-10-0-0 on the season.  The Cougars record slips to 10-9-1-0, but are still tied with Chilliwack for second in the BC Division, five points back of the Vancouver Giants.  The Cougars went 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Rockets went 1-for-6.  Kelowna out-shot the Cougars 30-21.

The Cougars will look to make in-roads on the Giants division lead when the teams square off at Pacific Coliseum Saturday night.  It will be the third meeting of the year between the two teams.  The Cougars and Rockets will clash again next weekend when the Rockets play a pair of games at CN Centre.  Both games start at 7:00pm and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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