Kelowna Rockets cap dramatic late comeback with overtime win in Portland

Photo: Contributed

Rockets celebrate game tying goal.

The Kelowna Rockets were denied at least a point in a last second loss to the Winnipeg Ice last weekend.

Friday, they needed late game heroics of their own to snap a four game losing streak and secure two points in a thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind overtime win in Portland.

Nolan Flamand notched the equalizer with just 5.6 seconds left in regulation time, then Andrew Cristall on a breakaway 3:20 into three-on-three overtime produced the game winner in the come-from-behind win.

Trailing 3-1 with less than five minutes to go in regulation time, Talyn Boyko gave his team a chance when he stoned Marcus Nguyen on a Portland penalty shot.

A minute later, with the teams playing four-on-four, Cristall notched his first of the game to pull Kelowna to within a single goal.

Some miscommunication between netminder Dante Gianuzzi and a defenceman allowed the puck to squirt into the low slot where Cristall was waiting to bury his eighth of the season.

Then, with Boyko on the bench for an extra attacker, Nolan Flamand notched the equalizer with just 5.6 seconds left in regulation. Gabriel Szturc fired the original shot from the left faceoff circle, but the rebound went straight to Flamand at the edge of the crease.

In the extra period, a Portland shot caromed off the back boards all the way into neutral territory. Cristall skated onto the puck on the right wing and beat Gianuzzi with a deke to the backhand.

Andrew Cristall to complete the comeback?!?!

YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!@Kelowna_Rockets pic.twitter.com/XPg9nJRQTW

— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 29, 2022

Marcus Pacheco also scored for the Rockets on a power play 33 seconds into the third period with Kelowna trailing 2-0.

Boyko stopped 42 of 45 shots directed his way for his first win of the season.

The Rockets will look to make it two-for-two in the Rose city when they face the Winterhawks again Saturday night.