Royals bested by Rockets

Kelowna, BC. — The Victoria Royals were in the Okanagan tonight to take on the Kelowna Rockets in a Saturday-night clash at Prospera Place. A fast-paced battle saw the teams combine for over 75 shots on goal, but the Rockets took the win tonight with a final score of 9-2.  

 

Kelowna opened the scoring with a power play marker around the five-minute mark of the first period, but Heath Nelson responded just over a minute later, assisted by Hayden Moore and Reggie Newman, to tie the game at one. The Rockets earned three more goals through the opening frame, and the Royals trailed 4-1 headed into the first intermission.  

 

Eli McKamey buried the Royals’ second goal of the night at 3:08 of the second period, assisted by Nolan Stewart and Caleb Matthews, to make it a two-goal game. The Rockets reclaimed their three-goal lead just under three minutes later, and notched two more goals in the second frame to lead the Royals 7-2 after 40 minutes of play.  

 

The Rockets added two more goals in the third period to bring the final score to 9-2.  

 

Scoring Summary  

1st Period 

5:09 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Shane Smith (29) assisted by Vojtech Cihar and Tij Iginla 

6:23 Victoria Royals Goal 

Heath Nelson (20) assisted by Hayden Moore and Reggie Newman 

13:07 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Keith McInnis (9) assisted by Carson Wetsch and Ty Halaburda 

15:10 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Hayden Paupanekis (15) assisted by Tij Iginla and Parker Alcos 

18:37 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Rowan Guest (1) assisted by Tij Iginla and Hayden Paupanekis 

 

2nd Period 

3:08 Victoria Royals Goal 

Eli McKamey (5) assisted by Nolan Stewart and Caleb Matthews 

5:53 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Shane Smith (30) unassisted 

10:11 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Tij Iginla (39) assisted by Carson Wetsch 

13:40 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Mazden Leslie (17) assisted by Tij Iginla and Rowan Guest 

 

3rd Period 

7:50 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Ty Halaburda (29) assisted by Tomas Poletin and Parker Alcos 

18:09 Kelowna Rockets Goal 

Owen Folstrom (14) assisted by Eli Barrett and Mazden Leslie 

 

Shots on Goal 

Royals – 30 

Rockets – 46 

 

Powerplay 

Royals – 0/1 

Rockets – 2/3 

 

Goalie Stats 

 

Royals 

Jake Pilon – 37/46 

 

Rockets 

Josh Banini – 28/30 

 

What’s Next 

Continuing their road swing, the Royals will head south to Seattle to take on the Thunderbirds this Tuesday, March 10th. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 PM at accesso ShoWare Center.