Rockets get sweep in OT

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Gage Quinney (centre) scored the series winner in overtime Wednesday in Kelowna's 5-4 win in Tri-City

Gage Quinney scored the game winner on the Rockets 71st shot 18:32 into overtime leading Kelowna past the pesky Tri-City Americans 5-4 Wednesday in Kennewick, WA.

The win gave the Rockets a four game sweep of the Americans in their Western Conference quarter-final series.

The Rockets scored four unanswered goals after trailing 4-1 late in the second in a wild affair before more than 2,800 stunned fans at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets were the better team from start to finish but some incredible netminding by Ams Eric Comrie and an off night from Rockets Jackson Whistle allowed Tri-City to build the 4-1 lead.

Kelowna had all the play in the opening half of the first period outshooting Tri-City 16-0 by the 11 minute mark.

However, Dylan Coghlan got the home side on the board on their first shot of the game.

Coghlan set up Tyler Sandhu near the end of the period to give Tri-City an improbable 2-0 lead.

Rourke Chartier got one back with his first of two 30 seconds into the second but it would be the Americans who struck next.

Richard Nejezchleb at 14:06 and Beau McCue shorthanded nearly four minutes later made it 4-1 and spelled the end of Whistle's night.

Whistle was pulled in favour of Michael Herringer after allowing four goals on just 19 shots.

Just 16 seconds after the goaltending change Madison Bowey scored his first of two on the same man advantage to cut the deficit to two.

Chartier 46 seconds later and Bowey again 37 seconds into the third pulled the Rockets even.

Kelowna had the majority of the chances the rest of the period but again were unable to get the winner past Comrie.

The best chance came off the stick of Nick Merkley who hit the cross bar inside the final two minutes of regulation time.

Both teams had chances in overtime and both were given a pair of chances on the power-play but were unable to get the winner.

The Rockets finally completed the comeback when Tyson Baillie  threw the puck in front from the corner to Quinney who beat Comrie with his first of the post season.

Herringer faced just 11 shots through 38 minutes and change to get the win in relief.

Comrie stopped 66 of the 71 shots he faced including 16 in overtime as the Rockets outshot Tri-City 17-7.

The Rockets get more than a week off before likely opening up the second round next Friday at home.

They will await the winner of the series between Prince George and Victoria.

The Royals lead that series 2-1 after beating falling 4-2 in Prince George Wednesday.