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Rockets Edge Cougars In Overtime 2-1 Saturday Night

By 250 News

The Cougars were close time and again to taking a 2-1 lead over the Kelowna Rockets during their Saturday night match-up at CN Centre. But the Rockets would score on their first shot of the game and on the last in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Cougars, taking both games at CN Centre. The Rockets won 4-2 Friday night to open the weekend doubleheader and while Ty Rimmer played well in net for the Cougars, James Priestner was given the starting job Saturday. The Rockets made a change as well in net, putting Adam Brown, their number 1 starter all season, in goal for Jordon Cooke, who posted the win Friday. The Rockets jumped on the board first just 15 seconds into the game, when Andreas Stene fired a shot from the slot behind Priestner on the glove side for his first WHL goal and a 1-0 Kelowna lead. The Rockets led the Cougars 11-3 in shots at one point in the first, but as the period wore down, the Cougars narrowed that gap and broke through on Brown. Brett Connolly tapped home his 18th goal of the season at 17:02 and third marker in the two games against the Rockets to tie the game at 1. James Dobrowolski earned an assist throwing the puck in front from the right corner boards, getting a helper in three straight games. Nick Buonassisi also got an assist. The shots in the first favored Kelowna 15-9. The Cougars dominated play on the Rockets in the second frame, out-shooting Kelowna 14-3 and getting a few golden chances to take the lead, but Brown kept the puck out. Priestner's first shot to handle didn't happen until there was just over six minutes to play in the second. The game stayed tied at 1 through 40 minutes of play. In the third, the Cougars started on the power play and again had chances around the Rockets net, but Brown kept the puck out. At the other end, Priestner was holding his own, making a big breakaway save on Mitchell Callahan. The teams shared scoring chances but could not break the ice on the 1-1 tie, forcing overtime. The Cougars out-shot Kelowna 15-9 in the third and 38-27 in regulation. In overtime, the Rockets found the winning goal when Tyson Barrie took a drop pass on a 2-on-1 with Evan Bloodoff and fired a shot on Priestner from the left wing. Priestner made the save with his glove, but the puck rolled behind him and Bloodoff put the puck in the open goal for the overtime winner. The shots were 2-1 Kelowna in overtime, who improve to 12-11-0-0 on the season, while the Cougars are also at 24 points with an 11-10-2-0 mark. Neither team could score on the power play; the Cougars having four chances and the Rockets with three. The Cougars will go on the road for a one game trip to Chilliwack Wednesday. That meeting will be the first this season between the BC Division rivals. The Cougars next home game is Friday night against the Regina Pats, starting at 7:00pm at CN Centre. The game is the Cougars Night of Hope, with various non-profit organizations at the game with information on their programs and donations will be accepted by the Canadian Mental Health Association for winter wear and fans have a chance to help support the Canadian Cancer Society while at the game, as well. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.
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