232808
229577
WHL  

Kamloops Blazers beat Rockets with three 3rd period goals

Sluggish Rockets fall to Kam

The Kamloops Blazers wanted this one more than the Kelowna Rockets.

That from head coach Adam Foote after watching his club fall 5-2 to the surging Blazers Saturday at Prospera Place.

"I think some guys were sluggish, but at the end of the day, our older guys are supposed to pick that up for you," said Foote.

"I felt like they weren't there mentally. It's good for us to learn this now, early in the season, things we have to address."

Foote said the Blazers played with more desperation. He said they played a harder game along the blue line and on the boards than the Rockets did.

The Rockets were good in spurts, but were too loose, especially in their own end when a pair of giveaways lead directly to Kamloops goals. Roman Basran also saw far too much rubber, as the Blazers fired 46 shots his way.

Twice, the Rockets were able to battle back from one-goal deficits to tie the game.

Down 1-0 in the second, Liam Kindree tapped home a perfect centering feed from Michael Farren on an odd man rush.

The Blazers took advantage of a giveaway in the Kelowna end moments later to retake the lead, but rookie Jake Poole brought the Rockets back on even terms late in the period with his first career WHL goal on a Kelowna power play.

Kindree won the draw, and Poole swooped in, grabbed the loose puck, moved into the slot, and beat Dylan Garand to the stick side.

Poole said he really didn't look for a spot, but just fired it, and it found a way in.

Orrin Centazzo, off another bad clearance Poole put on himself, restored the one-goal lead. His sharp angle shot hit the post and deflected in off the skate of Kaeden Korczak.

Max Martin with a one-timer from the point on a power play put Kamloops up 4-2, then he hit the empty net with seconds to go when his clearance off the glass found the open cage.

"There was a lot to learn from that game. Both teams had games in the U.S. (Friday), so we both had the same travel. They just came out more prepared than us," said Kindree.

"That's something we definitely have to learn. These are valuable points...this was a valuable game, and a winnable game but we didn't grab it."

The Rockets get a few days to try and get back on track before the Swift Current Broncos make their lone appearance to Prospera Place Wednesday.



More WHL articles



229228