Rockets succumb in OT

Photo: Wayne Moore

Nick Merkley scores for the Rockets in a losing cause.

Three times this season the Kelowna Rockets and Spokane Chiefs have needed overtime to decide an outcome.

And, for the third time, the Chiefs found the game winning goal in the fourth period in a 5-4 win over the Rockets.

Friday, Kailer Yamamoto provided the game winner. Driving through the slot, Yamamoto took a pass from Hudson Elynuik, put a move on Brodan Salmond, and tucked the puck into the open side of the net.

It came 61 seconds into overtime and seconds after Elynuik returned to the ice after serving a double minor for high sticking Dillon Dube late in the third.

He was in the box when the Rockets, with Salmond on the bench for an extra attacker, got the equalizer and forced overtime. Despite the momentum, it was the Chiefs who capitalized.

The game was reminiscent to Monday's comeback win over Seattle. The Rockets started slow, but got better as the game wore on, and by the third period, were the much better team.

"It was very similar. The attention to detail and the commitment to work and get to the net, make simple plays instead of turning the puck mover is a huge part of building momentum," said head coach Jason Smith.

"If you don't get to the net, and don't create opportunities and spend time in the offensive zone, you spend more time defending and chasing the puck."

The Rockets did a lot of chasing over the first 30 minutes and found themselves down 3-0.

A pair of defensive miscues led directly to two Spokane goals in the first and, second after a Dube goal was waived off, Elynuik split the Rockets defence, took a perfect breakaway pass and beat Michael Herringer with a deke to the forehand to make it 3-0.

Salmond came in at that point to replace Herringer, who gave up the three goals on just nine shots.

"I think you make decisions during the game when momentum is maybe swaying the other way," said Smith of the decision.

"It was a chance to shake things up, and maybe get our guys motivated and moving."

The move sparked the Rockets.

Nick Merkley scored five minutes later when his wrap around went off Spokane defenceman Ty Smith's stick and in. Nolan Foote got the Rockets to within a goal when he found the short side after a nifty drop pass from Merkley.

Thurkauf tied it when he appeared to be going behind the net, cut in front on the short side instead, and jammed the puck between Jayden Sittler's pad and the post.

Spokane retook the lead when Hayden Ostir buried a rebound off a two-on-one.

It held up until Thurkauf again tied it to force overtime.

"It was kind of disappointing that we lost this game, but I think it was good that we did rally back," said Thurkauf.

"We weren't happy at all with our first period, we didn't do the stuff we do normally like move the puck fast."

Despite firing 49 shots at Sittler, Smith said he was not happy with thee team's effort in front of the Spokane netminder. He said there were opportunities to capitalize on rebounds that they were unable to take advantage of.

With the single point the Rockets move to within nine points of idle Prince George, who remain atop the BC Division.

The Cougars were in town Friday as they get ready to face the Rockets Saturday at Prospera Place.

Thurkauf expects the Cougars to be fired up after the Rockets swept back-to-back games in Prince George two weeks ago.