Recap: Andrew Cristall’s OT winner sends Rockets past Winterhawks
The Kelowna Rockets snapped their four-game losing streak with a 4-3 comeback overtime win over the Portland Winterhawks on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, OR.
Down 3-1, Rockets goaltender Talyn Boyko stopped Marcus Nguyen to keep it a two-goal game with 4:34 to play in the third period.
The momentum swung in the Rockets favour with Andrew Cristall and Nolan Flamand scoring back-to-back goals to force overtime. Cristall took off on a breakaway in overtime to wrap up Kelowna’s victory with his third point of the night.
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GAME SUMMARY
The Rockets had an early challenge, killing off a five-minute power play after Noah Dorey was called for slew footing. Diego Buttazzoni set up Marek Alscher (2) low in the slot with the opening goal of the game at 16:04.
Less than a minute into the second frame Turner McMillen was awarded a penalty shot after he was hauled down in on a short-handed breakaway, but Portland goaltender Dante Giannuzzi shut the door. Marcus Nguyen (3) streaked up the left wing while shorthanded to stretch the Portland lead by two goals.
Marcus Pacheco (3) pulled Kelowna back within one while on the power play early in the third period. James Stefan’s (3) shot from the left side found its way under Rockets goaltender Talyn Boyko’s pad to restore the Winterhawks two-goal lead late in the final frame. Boyko however came up with a massive stop on a Nguyen penalty shot attempt. A misplay left a wide-open net for Andrew Cristall (8) to pull Kelowna back within one. With the net empty for an extra attacker, Nolan Flamand (3) scored the tying goal at the side of the net with five seconds left on the clock.
In overtime Cristall (9) was sprung with a breakaway, beating Giannuzzi at the 3:20 mark.
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Portland outshot Kelowna 45 to 29
- The Rockets were 1/3 on the power play while the Winterhawks were 0/3
- Marcus Nguyen was the game’s first star, Andrew Cristall was the second and Talyn Boyko was the third
- The Rockets record moves to 4-6-1-0
- Andrew Cristall posted two goals and an assist, along with a team-high six shots
- Talyn Boyko stopped 42 of the 45 shots fired on him, his record is now 1-2-0-0
UP NEXT
Kelowna and Portland will battle it out again tomorrow at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, puck drop is set for 6:00 pm.
The next Rockets home game is Saturday, November 5th when the Kamloops Blazers will visit Prospera Place for the first time this regular season.
Single-game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.
Mini Packs are now on sale for the 2022-23 season, pick from between a six or twelve-game pack. Click here to learn more about Mini Packs.
