iSight Optometry Recap: Rockets hold off Wild to even up series at one
The Kelowna Rockets tied up their opening round series at one after defeating the Wenatchee Wild 3-1 on Saturday in Wenatchee, Was.
Just like the night before, the Rockets struck first and held the lead through twenty minutes of action. Unlike game one, Kelowna was able to hold off any sort of comeback. Read more about the game in the game summary below.
Jari Kykkanen made 21 saves on 22 shots to earn the second star of the game, while Trae Johnson was named the game’s first star after recording the game winner.
The Rockets were without veteran defenceman Carter Kowalyk, who served a one game suspension for slew footing in game one the night before. Affiliate defenceman Lachlan Staniforth suited up Kowalyk’s place, dressing in his first WHL Playoff game.
GAME SUMMARY
Just like the night before, the Rockets were able to get on the board early. Standing in front of the Wenatchee net, Andrew Cristall (1) redirected Caden Price‘s drive past Daniel Hauser 1:10 into the game. Kelowna extended their lead by a pair after Price teed up another shot that this time Trae Johnson (1) cruising to the right of the net was able to put away after the puck found its way onto his stick.
The Wild cut the Rockets lead in half with the lone goal of the middle stanza. At 11:14, Briley Wood fed the puck from behind the Rockets net teeing up Sam Ward (1) with a one-timer in the left face off circle.
The Wild elected to pull Hauser with 2:40 to play in regulation, ten seconds later Luke Schelter (1) deposited the puck into the empty net.
Trae Johnson says thank you very much as the puck finds it way right onto his blade. #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/oxeojZXjYN
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) March 31, 2024
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Kelowna was 0/5 on the man advantage while the Wild were 0/1
- The Wild outshot the Rockets 27-22
- The best of seven series is tied at one
UP NEXT
The series will now shift back to Kelowna. Fans can watch the Rockets next at Prospera Place on April 2 and 3 when Kelowna hosts the Wenatchee Wild for games three and four of their best of seven series in the opening round of the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
Tickets can be purchased online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.
