Payworks Recap: McMillen propels Rockets past Chiefs in eight round shootout
The Kelowna Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 2-1 shootout win over the Spokane Chiefs that saw it all on Friday night at Prospera Place.
An eight-round shootout was needed to determine a winner, with the game on his stick Turner McMillen sealed the Rockets win – moving Kelowna’s record to 9-5-0-2.
New York Rangers prospect Talyn Boyko made 38 saves through 65 minutes of action, picking up first star honours and his fourth win of the season.
Both Colton Dach and Lee were awarded penalty shots in the game after being hauled down on breakaways, neither were able to convert.
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Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Bear Hughes (6) scored the opening goal of the game while on the power play.
Early in the second, Rockets defenceman Jake Lee (6) worked his way from down low around a Chiefs defenceman to slip the puck past Spokane netminder Mason Beaupit.
The Rockets had multiple opportunities in extra time, including Lee’s penalty shot.
Spokane shot first in the eight-round shootout.
Bear Hughes (miss), Carter Streek (goal), Blake Swetlikoff (goal), Yannick Proske (miss), Raegan Wiles (goal), Jack Finley (miss), Cordel Larson (miss) and Copeland Fricker (miss) were all shooters for the Chiefs.
Gabriel Szturc (miss), Pavel Novak (goal), Colton Dach (goal), Nolan Flamand (miss), Jake Poole (goal), Mark Liwiski (miss), Steel Quiring (miss) and Turner McMillen (goal) fired for the Kelowna.
Ice in his veins, @mcmillen_turner lifts the Rockets to their ninth win of the season pic.twitter.com/FITtmuWFci
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 27, 2021
Spokane was one-for-four with the man advantage, while Kelowna’s power play was shutout for the third consecutive game going zero-for-three on the night.
The Chiefs outshot the Rockets 39-37.
Sixteen-year-old Grady Lenton made his WHL debut, Lenton was the Rockets eighth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Draft.
Kelowna will be back in action tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Prince George Cougars at Prospera Place. Fans can purchase tickets for all Rockets home games at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
The current B.C. Provincial Health restrictions allow for 50% capacity at Prospera Place. All fans attending will need to abide by the BC Provincial Health Authority, Prospera Place and the Western Hockey League‘s recently announced COVID-19 health and safety requirements which includes masks, double vaccination and their BC vaccine card.
