Rockets Come Back for 4-3 Overtime Win over Vancouver
Dec. 3, 2013 – Kelowna, BC
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Vancouver Giants 4-3 on Tuesday night at Prospera Place, tying the game with just seconds remaining and winning it in overtime.
Damon Severson scored the winner after a hectic overtime that featured scoring chances at both ends of the ice, before Severson ended the game with his seventh of the season.
The Rockets trailed 2-1 after an un-inspired first fourty minutes, but came out with some energy to start the third period. Colton Heffley tied the game at 2-2 midway through the third period and the game appeared headed for overtime before both teams would score in the game’s final minute.
The Giants took a 3-2 lead when Alec Baer scored with just 37 seconds remaining in the third. But Kelowna wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and after a time-out, Kelowna got the puck into the Giants zone and Ryan Olsen would bang home a rebound with just 17 seconds remaining in the game, tying it at 3-3 and sending the game to overtime.
Speaking on the AM1150 post game show, Rockets head coach Ryan Huska said his team struggled through two periods but played better in the third.
“I thought we played better in the third period and we started to skate in the third period and we were able to generate some more offense,” said Huska. “I felt like we stood around and watched we were giving Vancouver lots of time. We need to be a lot more physical.”
Tyson Baillie had opened the scoring for the Rockets and added two helpers in the win, which improved the Rockets record to 20-3-0-2 on the season.
It’s the start of a busy week for the Rockets who will play host to the Everett Silvertips on Friday night in a game that will also be the Rockets first ever Teddy Bear Toss night. Fans are asked to bring a teddy bear to the game and throw it on the ice when the Rockets score its first goal.
On Saturday Kelowna will host the Kootenay Ice.
Tickets are available for both games through selectyourtickets.com, at the box office or at 250-762-5050.
