Rockets pull away from Cougars to clinch another B.C. Division title
The Kelowna Rockets overcame a 2-1 third-period deficit, exploding for five straight goals to dispatch the feisty-butundisciplined Prince George Cougars 6-3 on Wednesday night at Prospera Place.
Nolan Foote, in his return to the lineup after a 17-game absence, scored once and added an assist as the Rockets clinched first place in the B.C. Division.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said captain Cal Foote. “It’s my first one in the three years I’ve been here, so it’s a great feeling. It was one of our goals this season.”
It was a brother act on offence that wholeheartedly won the approval of the 4,561 fans. Cal Foote chipped in with an assist on Nolan’s 13th tally of the campaign, then scored twice during a third-period barrage.
The Foote brothers combined for five points, the first time they have hit the scoresheet together since Jan. 24 in Lethbridge when the Rockets earned a 4-3 overtime win against the host Hurricanes.
The Cougars opened the scoring on Wednesday at 13:30 of the first frame, winning a faceoff cleanly in the Rockets’ zone. Cole Moberg was able to sift a shot from the point through traffic, James Porter made the initial save, but Aaron Boyd beat him to the rebound to give the visitors the lead.
Kelowna equalized at 17:07 when Kyle Topping and Kole Lind created a loose puck behind the Cougars’ net and worked it to Cal Foote at the point. He slapped a pass to Nolan Foote, who deftly redirected the puck past Cougars goaltender Taylor Gauthier.
“We were definitely happy for him,” Cal said of Nolan’s first-period goal.
“He missed quite a few games this year. He looked pretty strong there,” the elder brother added.
For his part, Nolan was also pleased with the effort.
“I felt good, getting some shifts and being back with the boys,” Nolan said. “I feel like I’m in shape, so I’m excited to be back and get into the playoffs.”
Late in the second period, Brogan O’Brien picked up an errant pass just outside the Rockets’ blue line, walked into the attacking zone and beat Porter high stick side from well out to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.
Kelowna made it a 2-2 affair 23 seconds into the third period when Kaedan Korczak floated a shot from the point that appeared to deflect in off the hand of a defender.
Kelowna scored the next four goals to take a 6-2 lead, before Cougars forward Ryan Schoettler closed out the scoring at 17:56.
With the win, Kelowna improves to 41-225-2 for 89 points. By finishing atop the B.C. Division standings, the Rockets will have home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.