iSight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Outshoot Blazers 41-26 but Fall 5-2
The Kelowna Rockets dropped a 5-2 decision to the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night at Prospera Place in the first half of a weekend home-and-home series.
Kelowna received powerplay goals from Owen Folstrom and Dawson Gerwing, while Harrison Boettiger made 21 saves on 26 shots.
BOXSCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | POST-GAME: MARTIN
GAME RECAP
Kamloops struck twice in the opening eight minutes, catching the Rockets in transition on both goals. Cooper Moore opened the scoring at 2:35 of the first period, and Vit Zahejsky doubled the Blazers’ lead at 7:44.
The Rockets got on the board late in the first.
At 16:18, Owen Folstrom hammered a one-timer from the slot past Kamloops goaltender Kaeden Tate on the powerplay for his first goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Madden Daneault and Jacob Henderson picked up the assists.
Kamloops restored its two-goal lead early in the second, as Andrew Thomson scored on the power play at 4:32 to make it 3-1.
Kelowna pulled back within one late in the period. At 18:30, Dawson Gerwing redirected a Ryan Oothoudt shot past Tate on the powerplay for his second goal of the season. Dane Sorensen also assisted on the goal.
The Blazers answered just 17 seconds later, with Brady Ondrus scoring at 18:47 to send Kamloops into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead.
Ty Bonkowski added another for the Blazers at 3:46 of the third period to round out the scoring.
The Rockets pushed throughout the final frame, outshooting Kamloops 14-6 in the third, but Tate held firm and finished with 39 saves.
Kelowna outshot Kamloops 41-26 and finished the night 2-for-6 on the powerplay.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Shots on Goal
Kelowna: 41 | Kamloops: 26
Powerplay
Kelowna: 2/6 | Kamloops: 1/4
Faceoffs
Kelowna: 30 | Kamloops: 29
UP NEXT
The Rockets will head to Kamloops to close out the home-and-home on Saturday, October 3. Puck drop at the Sandman Centre is set for 6:00 pm. Fans can watch live for free on YouTube.
