RECAP: McMillen leads Rockets to 3-1 win over Winterhawks
The Kelowna Rockets continued their homestand with their second consecutive win, picking up a 3-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks at Prospera Place on Saturday night.
The Rockets were outshot 46-15 by the Winterhawks, with goaltender Talyn Boyko earning first-star honours after his 45-save performance.
“It’s a gutsy effort by the group, but you can’t go anywhere without Talyn Boyko,” said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame media availability. “He was phenomenal tonight and gave us a chance to come out with the win.
Turner McMillen and Trae Johnson were both elevated to the Rockets second line, Johnson set up McMillen in the slot with the game-winner early in the third period.
“Turner’s been playing very well lately and that’s the reason why I moved him up on that line. That was Trae’s best game I’ve seen him play since he’s been a part of our group. Turner is playing tenacious, he’s physical and skating, and he’s got a little more confidence with the puck. But that goal was a carbon copy, just hard work and a simple breakout.”
Kelowna’s penalty killers were busy, killing off six of the seven-man advantages that the Winterhawks had.
“The penalties are a cause for concern, to say the least. But our guys are sacrificing and killing those penalties off for the most part, the goal that they scored was off of one of our skates. It’s something that we have to rectify going down the stretch.”
GAME SUMMARY
Gabe Klassen (30) was credited with a power play goal after it went in off of the skate of Jackson DeSouza and into the Rockets net 13:25 into the game.
Marcus Pacheco (9) ripped up the left wing while short-handed, he slammed on the breaks at the top of the left faceoff circle and then ripped a shot past Jan Spunar to tie the game late into the second period.
Trae Johnson’s centring feed to Turner McMillen (7) 1:38 into the third period pushed the Rockets ahead for the first time in the game. Adam Kydd (16) added an insurance goal minutes later.
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Talyn Boyko was the game’s first star, Turner McMillen was the second and Adam Kydd was the third star
- Kelowna was 0/4 on the power play, while the Winterhawks were 1/7 on the man advantage
- The Rockets record is now 19-30-3-0
- Gabriel Szturc recorded his WHL 100th point, picking up an assist on the third goal of the game
UP NEXT
Kelowna will wrap up their five-game homestand with an early 2:05 pm game against the Tri-City Americans on Monday, February 20th.
Monday’s game against Tri-City will be a Fan First Menu game 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.