iSight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Earn a Point in Season-Opening Overtime Loss to Giants
LANGLEY, BC — The Kelowna Rockets opened the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season with a hard-fought 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.
After a scoreless opening 40 minutes, all five goals came in the third period and overtime as the Rockets battled back from a one-goal deficit, took the lead and ultimately came away with one point.
BOXSCORE | HIGHLIGHTS
GAME RECAP
The opening period was low-event but played at a strong pace, with both teams coming out fast and physical. Vancouver held a slight 9-8 edge in shots through 20 minutes.
The physicality ramped up in the second period when Dane Sorensen dropped the gloves with Vancouver’s Colton Gerrior at 9:44.
Things boiled over again just over a minute later after Madden Daneault was assessed an interference penalty on Giants goaltender Oliver Bryks. During the ensuing scrum, Jakub Frolo and Tobias Tomik dropped the gloves on their way to the penalty box, while Dawson Gerwing and Sullivan Humeniuk also fought. Gerwing and Humeniuk were both assessed game misconducts.
Despite the physical play, the game remained scoreless through two periods.
Vancouver finally opened the scoring at 6:52 of the third when Rhys Pederson capitalized on a broken play that redirected off a Rockets defender and past Harrison Boettiger.
Kelowna responded just 1:05 later.
Cole Braunshausen absorbed a heavy hit to make a play, allowing Ryan Oothoudt to finish short side for his first goal of the season and tie the game 1-1. The hit on Braunshausen resulted in a five-minute major for kneeing to Vancouver defenceman Derek Thurston.
The Rockets took advantage of the extended power play at 11:49.
After a Dane Sorensen shot missed the net and came off the end boards, Peyton Kettles jumped on the rebound and buried his first of the season to give Kelowna a 2-1 lead. Jakub Frolo picked up the secondary assist.
Kelowna generated several chances throughout the night but was unable to add to its lead.
With just over two minutes remaining, Sorensen was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking. Vancouver pulled Bryks for the extra attacker and converted on the power play at 18:22 when Joe Iginla tied the game 2-2 with a one-timer.
The game then headed to overtime.
Kelowna was awarded a penalty shot after Owen Folstrom was pulled down on a breakaway, but Bryks made the stop to keep the game tied.
Moments later, Kettles was called for interference, sending Vancouver to the power play. Sorensen came up with a pair of key blocks and Boettiger made several strong stops, but Tobias Tomik eventually ended the game at 3:57 of overtime with a one-timer on the man advantage.
Boettiger finished the night with 31 saves on 34 shots, while Kelowna was outshot 34-27.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Shots: Kelowna 27 | Vancouver 34
Powerplay: Kelowna 1/5 | Vancouver 2/8
Faceoffs: Kelowna 34 | Vancouver 33
UP NEXT
The Rockets return to action on Friday, September 25 when they travel to Penticton for the first half of a home-and-home series against the Vees. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Kelowna will then return home the following night for its 2026-27 Home Opener against Penticton at Prospera Place.
