iSight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Earn Point in 3-2 Overtime Loss to Wheat Kings
The Kelowna Rockets picked up a point on Pink in the Rink Night but fell 3-2 in overtime to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday at Prospera Place.
Jakub Frolo and Jacob Henderson scored for Kelowna, while Harrison Boettiger made 18 saves. The Rockets have now earned points in three straight games.
BOXSCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | POST-GAME: MARTIN
GAME RECAP
The Rockets came out strong, outshooting Brandon 10-4 in the opening period and building a two-goal lead.
Jakub Frolo opened the scoring at 8:33, making a nice move in tight before sliding the puck five-hole on Wheat Kings goaltender Ryley Budd for his first career WHL goal. Cole Braunshausen and Peyton Kettles picked up the assists.
After killing off a pair of Brandon powerplays, Kelowna doubled its lead late in the period. With the Rockets on a 5-on-3, Jacob Henderson beat Budd blocker side at 19:00 for his third goal of the season. Rowan Guest and Madden Daneault assisted.
Brandon made a change in goal to start the second, with Filip Ruzicka taking over for Budd, and the Wheat Kings wasted no time getting on the board. Brady Turko scored 29 seconds into the period to cut the lead to 2-1.
Prabh Bhathal tied the game at 12:54 with an unassisted goal.
The Wheat Kings appeared to take the lead later in the period, but the goal was overturned following a successful coach’s challenge by Kelowna, keeping the score level at 2-2.
The Rockets pushed hard for the go-ahead goal, outshooting Brandon 17-9 in the second and 25-15 over the final two periods, but Ruzicka stood tall. The Brandon netminder stopped all 26 shots he faced in relief.
Neither team scored in the third, sending the game to overtime.
At 1:41 of the extra frame, Tomas Poletin had his helmet knocked off, leaving a Wheat King open, and Cole Slobodian beat Boettiger blocker-side to give Brandon the 3-2 win.
Kelowna outshot Brandon 36-21 and went 1-for-4 on the power play. The Rockets’ penalty kill was perfect, turning aside all four Wheat Kings opportunities.
The Rockets wore specialty Pink in the Rink jerseys for the game, which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Shots on Goal
Kelowna: 36 | Brandon: 21
Powerplay
Kelowna: 1/4 | Brandon: 0/4
Faceoffs
Kelowna: 40 | Brandon: 19
UP NEXT
The Rockets continue their homestand next weekend, hosting the Portland Winterhawks on Friday, October 16 at 7:05 p.m. before welcoming the Prince George Cougars for the Hershey Candy Scramble on Saturday, October 17 at 6:05 p.m.
