RECAP: Giants hold off Rockets

Category: ArticleJanuary 21, 2023

The Kelowna Rockets fell 4-3 to the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.

After the Rockets scored the opening goal, the Giants pushed back with three unanswered goals. Adam Kydd inched the Rockets back within one twice in the final frame, but Kelowna was unable to capitalize on a five-on-three power play opportunity with 3:36 to play in the game.

“The second period was the difference for us tonight,” said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette. “Turnovers are one thing, but for 13 minutes in the second period we were nonexistent and gave them momentum that we couldn’t get back. We had a push at the end, but it’s a 60-minute game.”

GAME SUMMARY

Streaking up the left wing while short-handed, Turner McMillen (6) took off on a breakaway to put the Rockets on the board first 13:22 into the game. Matthew Edwards (2) tied things up again 64 seconds after the Rockets goal.

Ty Halaburda (15) gave the Giants their first lead of the game 14:22 into the second frame.

The Giants jumped out to a two-goal lead early into the third on a goal from Connor Dale (4). Adam Kydd (12) dove in front of the net to pull Kelowna back within one. Tyler Thorpe (2) responded for Vancouver while on the power play. Kydd (13) jammed in his second of the game.

ADDITIONAL STATS

Vancouver outshot Kelowna 29-28
Ty Halaburda was the game’s first star, Adam Kydd was the second and Gabriel Szturc was the third star
Talyn Boyko made 25 saves on 29 shots
The Rockets record is now 14-24-3-0
Andrew Cristall (lower-body injury), Ty Hurley (lower-body injury) and Logan Peskett (healthy scratch) were the Rockets scratches
Gabriel Szturc and Adam Kydd posted two-point nights

UP NEXT

The Rockets will wrap up their three-in-three weekend with a 4:05 pm Sunday matchup against the Victoria Royals at Prospera Place.

Single-game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.