Rockets squeak out OT win

Photo: Doug Love

The Kelowna Rockets escaped Kennewick, WA with two points Friday night.

It could have been worse.

Trailing 2-1, the Tri-City Americans threw everything they had at Kelowna netminder James Porter, aided in large part by three power plays.

Porter kept them at bay until, with 10.2 seconds left in regulation time, Krystof Hrabik banged home the game tying goal with a one-timer from the right point to force overtime.

It didn't take long for the Rockets to put an end to the proceedings. Kyle Topping stole the puck deep inside the Americans end.

His initial shot was stopped, but Leif Mattson buried the rebound with his second of the night just 20 seconds into overtime, to give the Rockets a 3-2 lead.

Kyle Olson scored the lone goal of the opening period, as the Ams took a 1-0 lead into the middle frame.

Mattson with his first of the night, and Kyle Crosbie 10 minutes later, gave the Rockets a 2-1 lead after 40.

It stayed that way until the dying seconds.

Porter turned away 26 of 28 shots he faced on the night, while turning away all six Tri-City power plays.

The win moved the Rockets into second spot in the BC Division, a point up on Victoria. However, the Royals do hold seven games in hand.

Prior to the game, the Rockets dealt forward Jack Cowell to the Kootenay Ice for a third-round pick in the 2020 bantam draft.

“Our team is in a situation where we’re working toward the Memorial Cup, and we're aiming to acquire as many assets as possible,” said GM, Bruce Hamilton.

The Rockets return home to host the Saskatoon Blades Saturday night.

Saturday is Teddy Bear Toss night at Prospera Place

The Rockets also remind fans heading to the game that Water Street between Queensway and Doyle will be closed from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday to accommodate the Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market & Tree Lighting.