Rockets fall in OT to T’Birds
Kelowna’s comeback falls shy to Seattle; Vancouver works for upset position
There was no miracle comeback for the Rockets.
Kelowna’s Western Hockey League season came to an end Friday night in Kent, Wash., 1:20 into overtime of a 4-3 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds at accesso ShoWare Center.
The Thunderbirds took the best-ofseven series 4-1.
Down 3-1 with less than eight minutes to play in regulation, Jake Lee and Gabriel Szturc scored 10 seconds apart to force overtime.
But the Rockets gave up an early turnover, resulting in a two-on-one opportunity for Seattle. New York Rangers prospect Matthew Rempe ended the series by beating fellow Rangers prospect Talyn Boyko with his second of the night.
The T’birds outshot the Rockets 4421, with Boyko stopping 40 of the shots he faced through 61:20 of action. Seattle goaltender Thomas Milic turned aside 18 of the 21 shots fired on him.
Kelowna’s power play was one-forthree on the night, while the penalty kill shut down both Seattle opportunities.
The Rockets were without Mark Liwiski, who was serving the second game of his two-game suspension, and Pavel Novak (undisclosed).
DACH GOING UP
The Chicago Blackhawks assigned Rockets forward Colton Dach to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League for the club’s playoff run.
Dach led the Rockets in points (79), assists (50) and shared the team lead in goals (29) through 61 games during the regular season. The 19-year-old also led the team in shots on goal with 274 and power play points with 27 (9G, 18A).
He was named to the WHL’s B.C. Division First All-Star Team.
Dach agreed to terms on a threeyear entry-level contract with Chicago on Oct. 1, 2021.
The Rockford IceHogs are set to host the Texas Stars for a best-ofthree first-round playoff series beginning on Wednesday.
DRAFTED
Kelowna will now turn its focus toward the U.S. and prospects drafts.
The U.S. Priority Draft is scheduled for May 18 while the Prospects Draft will take place May 19.
UPSET BREWING?
The eighth-place Vancouver Giants had two cracks at eliminating the first-place Everett Silvertips from the opening round of the WHL Western Conference playoffs heading into Monday night’s Game 6.
The Giants beat the Silvertips 3-0 Saturday in Everett to grab a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven quarterfinal set. Game 6 was Monday at Langley Events Centre, while Game 7, if necessary, is slated for Wednesday in Everett.
A score wasn’t available at deadline.
Vancouver Giants’ Jesper Vikman finished with 50 saves Saturday. Adam Hall had a goal and an assist, while Fabian Lysell and Connor Horning had the other Vancouver markers.
The 50-save shutout is a new singlegame franchise record for the Giants. There has also been no recorded shutout of 50-or-more saves in the WHL playoffs beyond 2004.
Vancouver was looking to become the first No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 in the first round since the WHL playoffs went to 16 teams in 2002.
The Giants finished 47 points behind the Silvertips in league play.