Rockets Fall in Vancouver

For the 2nd game in a row, the Kelowna Rockets blew a big 2nd period lead. Unlike Saturday's dramatic 4-3 overtime win, the Rockets couldn't hold off the Vancouver Giants on this night.

The Giants erased a 3-0 deficit midway through the 2nd period Tuesday night, scoring 4 unanswered goals in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Rockets. The win gives the Giants a 2-1 lead in the best of seven first round series.

Chris Ray in the first period, and Justin Keller with a pair in the 2nd, staked the Rockets to a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead. However, the Rockets defense, the hallmark of the team all season long let them down again.

Paul Albers, Mitch Bartley and Cam Cunning drew the Giants even before the end of the 2nd. Defenseman Andrej Meszaros scored on a power play 9:33 into the final period on a shot, which appeared to deflect off a Rockets defender before finding its way into the net.

The Rockets were 1-6 on the power play, the Giants 2-6. The Rockets had 3 power play chances in the final period, including 2 man advantage situations to start the third period, but couldn't get the all-important 4th goal.

Game 4 in the series goes Wednesday night in Vancouver. Game 5 will be played back at Prospera Place Friday night at 7.