iSight Optometry Recap: Chiefs snap Rockets win streak

The Kelowna Rockets four-game win streak was snapped on Friday night by the Spokane Chiefs on Friday night at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, WA.

The Rockets fell behind 3-0, but got on the board just before the end of the first frame. Falling behind 5-2, Kelowna scored three unanswered goals in a span of six minutes to head into the third period tied with Spokane at five. With Caden Price sitting in the penalty box, Conner Roulette scored the go-ahead goal. The Chiefs then added two empty net goals to skate away with an 8-5 victory.

Jake Pilon started the game for the Rockets, he made five saves on eight shots before being replaced 16:17 into the game. Jari Kykkanen turned aside 18 of the 21 shots he faced in relief.

Andrew Cristall recorded three goals, for his second career WHL hat trick, en route to earning second-star honors of the night. The Washington Capital draft pick’s point streak is now at nine games.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS | BOXSCORE

GAME SUMMARY

Cole Wadsworth (2) put the Chiefs on the board first with their second shot on goal of the game. Nathan Mayes laid out a hit on Ethan Neutens, Ethan Mittelsteadt took exception dropping the gloves with Mayes. Mittelsteadt received an extra two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct,  Conner Roulette (7) capitalized on the ensuing power play. Roulette (8) quickly struck again on the power play as Gabriel Szturc was sitting in the penalty box after being called for cross-checking. The Rockets then made a goaltender change following the third goal, replacing Jake Pilon with Jari Kykkanen. Late in the period, Caden Price fed the puck up the ice with a long pass that found a streaking  Ty Hurley (1) to cut into the Chiefs lead late.

Ty Cheveldayoff (2) quickly scored 24 seconds into the second period to restore the Chiefs three-goal lead. Caden Price’s drive was tipped past Cooper Michaluk by Andrew Cristall (9) with one second left on the man advantage. Berkly Catton (7) responded for the Chiefs. The Rockets then scored three unanswered goals in the span of just over six minutes, with a drive from Marek Rocak (2)and back-to-back goals from Andrew Cristall (10, 11).

With Caden Price sitting in the penalty box for a high sticking call, Conner Roulette (9) completed the hat trick to give the Chiefs the lead with 6:27 in regulation.