RECAP: Hitmen Fall to Rockets 5-2
Kelowna, BC – The Calgary Hitmen opened their two-game B.C. Division road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Kelowna Rockets on Friday night at Prospera Place.
Kelowna got on the board first in the opening period as former Hitmen Carson Wetsch scored to give the Rockets an early lead. The home side doubled its advantage in the second period when Owen Folstrom found the back of the net.
Calgary responded midway through the second with a power-play goal from Blake Vanek, who tapped in a highlight reel feed from rookie Calder Hamilton. Less than two minutes later, Vanek struck again, scoring his second of the night to tie the game 2-2.
The Rockets pulled ahead early in the third period on their lone power-play opportunity, with Hiroki Gojsic restoring the Kelowna lead. Wetsch added his second goal of the game with just under five minutes remaining to make it 4-2. Calgary made a final push with Aidan Hesse on the bench and a man advantage late, but Parker Alcos sealed the result with an empty-net goal.
Aidan Hesse turned aside a career high 35 shots in tonight’s contest. Blake Vanek earned second star with his two goal performance. The Hitmen remain fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-11-5-1.
The Hitmen continue their road trip Saturday, Jan. 17, when they visit the expansion Penticton Vees. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m. PST / 7:05 p.m. MST. The Hitmen then have Alberta road games in Medicine Hat (Jan. 20) and Red Deer (Jan. 23). All games can be streamed for free on Victory+.
