RECAP: Cristall scores shootout winner as Rockets edge Hitmen 3-2
The Kelowna Rockets capped off their three-game road trip to Alberta with a 3-2 shootout win over the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB.
Holding a two-goal lead after the opening frame, Calgary clawed back with goals in the second and third periods. Overtime solved nothing, with the Rockets heading to their first shootout of the season.
The Hitmen elected to shoot first in the skills competition. Scoreless after the first round, Calgary was unsuccessful on their second shot. Andrew Cristall then made a series of moves while running out of real estate to beat Brayden Peters with the eventual shootout-winner. Needing a goal to continue, Calgary was unsuccessful.
GAME SUMMARY
Carson Golder (25) opened the scoring 2:02 into the game with a shot from the high slot through traffic while on the power play. Adam Kydd worked a pass within his feet to Dylan Wightman (10) in front of the net to give the Rockets a two-goal lead.
Brandon Whynott (4) beat Jari Kykkanen to cut the Rockets lead in half 1:12 into the middle frame.
The Hitmen nailed the crossbar just before the midway point of the third period, after the puck landed Riley Fiddler-Schultz (26) took a shot that went off of a Rocket defender and into the net to tie the game.
Overtime solved nothing, forcing a skills competition to decide the game-winner.
The Hitmen shot first in the shootout. Sean Tschigerl (X), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (X), and Oliver Tulk (X) fired for Calgary.
Adam Kydd (X), Andrew Cristall (goal) were shooters for Kelowna.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER, ̶A̶N̶D̶R̶E̶W̶ ADAM CRISTALL WINS IT IN THE SHOOTOUT.#NHLDRAFT x @AndrewCristall pic.twitter.com/fKZYxr3q2x
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 27, 2023
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Calgary outshot Kelowna 35 to 31
- Jari Kykkanenmade 33 saves on 35 shots
- Riley Fiddler-Schultz was the game’s first star, Andrew Cristall was the second and Carson Golder was the third star
- Kelowna was 1/3 on the power play, while the Hitmen were 0/3 on the man advantage
- The Rockets record is now 22-31-3-0
UP NEXT
The Rockets next game is Wednesday, March 1st when they’ll host the Spokane Chiefs at 7:05 pm. It will also be a Fan First Menu night with $2 hot dogs and $5-$6 options from Blue Ribbon. The Fan First Menu is available at all Monday to Wednesday regular season games.
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.
