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KELOWNA, BC – The Kelowna Rockets scored the game’s last three goals and broke a 1-1 tie in the third period to knock off the Everett Silvertips 3-1 Friday night at Prospera Place. The ‘Tips have now lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season heading into Saturday’s road matchup with the Kamloops Blazers.
Special teams production made the biggest difference in an otherwise evenly-played contest, as the Silvertips failed to convert on six powerplay opportunities while the Rockets scored twice on four powerplay chances. Carson Stadnyk scored Everett’s only goal on assists from Jujhar Khaira and Darcy DeRoose. Josh Winquist hit three goalposts in the contest as his franchise-record 18-game point streak narrowly came to an end after seven weeks.
Scoring chances were hard to come by in the first period despite two Silvertips powerplay opportunities and one for the Rockets. The teams combined for just 11 shots in the period, with Everett getting six of those, in a scoreless opening frame.
Everett pushed hard early in the second period and then opened the scoring at 4:35, when Carson Stadnyk collected a rebound beside goaltender Jordon Cooke and tucked it in for his seventh goal of the year. The ‘Tips had over a minute of 5-on-3 powerplay time a few minutes later, but were unable to capitalize to expand the lead. The Rockets evened things at one on their second powerplay midway through the period with Ryan Olsen re-directing a Riley Stadel point shot past Austin Lotz. The ‘Tips skated to a 13-9 shot edge in the middle frame as the score remained 1-1 into the second intermission.
Kelowna started the third period on a 4-on-3 powerplay and wasted little time taking its first lead as Damon Severson snuck a wrist shot off the post and in just 57 seconds into the session. Jordon Cooke thwarted a few good Everett chances as the period wore on and Winquist rung the post after walking through the Rockets’ defense on the Silvertips’ best opportunity to knot the score back up. Olsen then tallied his second goal of the game off an Everett turnover with less than three minutes remaining to seal the 3-1 Kelowna victory.
Austin Lotz (15-5-1-0) made 22 saves in his eighth straight start while taking the loss. Jordon Cooke (16-1-0-2) made 26 saves the Everett finished with a 27-25 lead on the shot clock.
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The Silvertips continue their weekend in the BC interior with a visit to Kamloops, where they will face the Blazers Saturday night at 7:00 pm. Pregame broadcast coverage gets underway at 6:30 on Fox Sports 1380 AM. The ‘Tips then play two more road games next week before returning to Comcast Arena for two home games ahead of the WHL’s holiday break on Saturday, Dec. 14 vs. Vancouver and Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Spokane.
Season tickets, mini-game packages and six-game packs for the 2013-14 WHL season are available now at the team office. Visit our website or call 425-252-5100 for more information. To keep up with all the latest team news, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.
