iSight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Take Teddy Bear Toss Win over Winterhawks 2-1

The Kelowna Rockets closed out Teddy Bear Toss night with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks, backed by a stellar performance from goaltender Harrison Boettiger and timely scoring at key moments.

BOXSCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | POST GAME: MARTIN | POST GAME: LESLIE

GAME SUMMARY

The annual Teddy Bear Toss got underway early, as Tomas Poletin (12) blasted home a one-timer from the slot on the power play at 6:32 of the first period, sending thousands of teddy bears raining down onto the ice at Prospera Place. The goal came off a crisp pass from Tij Iginla, with Mazden Leslie drawing the secondary assist.

Tempers flared shortly after, with multiple scrums and several major penalties leading to a chaotic, fight-filled end to the opening period. Despite the physicality, the Rockets maintained their composure and carried a 1–0 lead into the intermission.

Early in the second, Kelowna doubled the lead when Mazden Leslie (3), playing in his 300th career WHL game, jumped into the play and finished a slick feed from Carson Wetsch. Leslie cut inside the crease and tucked the puck home for the eventual game-winner, with Will Sharpe also picking up an assist.

Portland pushed hard in the third and finally broke through at 14:13 on a goal from Cole Slobodian, but Boettiger shut the door the rest of the way. The Rockets held strong through a late Winterhawks surge to secure the win.

Harrison Boettiger earned First Star honours with a composed 30-save performance.

ADDITIONAL STATS
Shots on Goal: Kelowna 25 | Portland 31
Power Play: Kelowna 1/2 | Portland 0/5
Faceoffs: Kelowna 34 | Portland 33

UP NEXT
The Rockets hit the road for a three-game road trip starting with a midweek matchup on Wednesday, November 27 against the Spokane Chiefs.