RECAP: Rockets fall to Giants in high scoring pre-season contest

The Kelowna Rockets fell 7-4 to the Vancouver Giants on Friday night at Prospera Place in their second-last game of the pre-season schedule.

Skaters Ismail Abougouche and Michael Cicek played in their first preseason contest for the Rockets. Goaltender Jake Pilon made his first appearance in a Rockets uniform after being acquired from Edmonton earlier in the week, the 6’3″, 180-pound netminder played the entire game, turning aside 31 of the 38 shots he faced.

There are no highlights for preseason games. To view the box score from tonight’s game click here. 

GAME SUMMARY

The Rockets jumped out to an early lead 2:17 into the game after Will Munro’s shot bounced off of Matthew Hutchison’s pad right onto the blade of Dylan Wightman (1). The Giants answered before the end of the period with a power play goal from Justin Ivanusec (1).

Colton Roberts (1) and Ryan Lin (2) scored 54 seconds apart to create a two-goal cushion just 3:32 into the second frame. Hiroki Gojsic (1) picked the puck up in front of the Giants bench and skated to the right faceoff circle where he unleashed a heavy shot. Colton Langkow (1) responded with a power play goal, but Will Munro (1) redirected Landon Cowper’s shot to pull the Rockets within one heading into the third period.

Adam Titlbach (1) recorded the eventual game-winner just 11 seconds into the final frame. Thirty-four seconds later Michael Cicek (1) kept Kelowna in it at the side. The Giants were able to add goals from Cameron Schmidt (2) and Titlbach (2) before the end of the game.