Rockets come up short

Photo: Wayne Moore

Shane Farkas denies Leif Mattson during the second period Saturday.

The Kelowna Rockets held one of the most explosive teams in the Western Hockey League to just one goal in regulation time.

But, they couldn't hold down the high-flying Portland Winterhawks during a wide-open, end-to-end overtime period, falling 2-1 Saturday at Prospera Place.

Jaydon Dureau was sent in all alone in overtime. He tried to deke Roman Basran, but lost the handle of the puck.

The puck continued its forward momentum and slip under Basran's pad as he slid over to try and cover the far post.

The Rockets went stride for stride with the Winterhawks, and had the better of the good scoring chances throughout regulation time.

Leif Mattson could have had a hat trick all by himself, but was stymied on two Grade A chances by the pad, then the glove of Portland netminder Shane Farkas.

"Probably could have had five or six honestly," said Mattson.

"I think I expect more of myself. I've got to put the puck in the net. A chance in overtime to get the two points...I should have put it in the net.

"I'll just get ready for tomorrow and hopefully I can do it tomorrow."

Portland opened the scoring just 67 seconds in on an early power play. Jake Gricius banged home his own rebound to get the Winterhawks on the board.

Kelowna had a great chance moments later. Alex Swetlikoff came out of the box to create a three-on-one.

He took a drop pass at the blue line and found Mark Liwiski in the far faceoff circle. His one-timer just missed the net on the short side.

Trailing 1-0 for the better part of 60 minutes, and coming oh so close to getting the equalizer, Rockets head coach Adam Foote said the team didn't panic.

"What I really liked is we didn't open up at the start of the third period. We were patient," he said.

"They were waiting for us to open up, and we were very patient, and played a very smart game. We got that goal  and got a big point."

That big goal came off the stick of Alex Swetlikoff, who has been improving steadily since making the jump from the BC Hockey League just before Christmas.

Swetlikoff tipped home his fifth of the season, deflecting Schael Higson's shot from the left point with five minutes left in regulation time.

Overtime was wide open, as both teams had numerous chances to put it away.

Basran made one of the highlight reel saves of the season, throwing his right leg high in the air to deny John Ludvig seconds into the extra period.

The Rockets went back the other way, were Mattson was denied all alone from in close, then Kyle Topping was stopped on a partial breakaway.

Despite not picking up two points, the single point was huge for the Rockets with just a half dozen games left in the regular season and a playoff spot still to be nailed down.

"It's a big point, and I like how we did it.

"We had to kill off some penalties and some questionable ones in our building. We stayed in the game and that showed we've grown as a team."

The Rockets are now six points up on Kamloops after the Blazers fell 5-4 to the Vancouver Giants Saturday.

Kamloops has eight games to go, including a crucial home-and-home with the Rockets next weekend that could decide the final guaranteed playoff spot in the BC Division.

The Rockets and Winterhawks conclude their season series at Prospera Place Sunday at 5.