Rockets bounced by Silvertips
The Kelowna Rockets lost 8-2 to the Everett Silvertips in a battle of the Western Conference’s top two teams Saturday at the Xfinity Arena in the Washington state.
The Silvertips scored less than a minute into the game, with Patrick Bajkov finding the net at the 45 second mark.
Cal Foote tied the game for the Rockets just 14 seconds later, but it was 2-1 for ‘Tips after the first period.
Everett was up 5-2 after the second period, and the hosts scored three more times in the final frame while the Rockets were blanked.
Bajkov finished with a hat-trick for the Silvertips. Rockets goalie Cole Tisdale let in five goals on 31 shots, and his relief, Brodan Salmond, let in three of the 11 shots he faced. The Rockets were outshot 42-25. With the loss, Kelowna’s record dropped to 32-16-3-1. Kelowna is tied for first place in the B.C. Division with the Victoria Royals, though the Rockets still have two games in hand.
Kelowna plays at Prospera Place Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against the Vancouver Giants, who are in third place, four points behind the Rockets and Royals. Kelowna and Victoria face each other three times in four days — Friday and Saturday in Victoria and Monday, Feb. 12 at Prospera.
ROYALS 3 THUNDERBIRDS 2 (OT): Matthew Phillips scored his second of the night at 4:22 of overtime to lift Victoria over Seattle.
Jeff de Wit also scored for the Royals (32-18-4), who got a 38-save performance from Griffen Outhouse.
Matthew Wedman and Austin Strand scored for the Thunderbirds (26-18-7). Liam Hughes made 31 saves in defeat.
GIANTS 5 TIGERS 4: Alex Kannok Leipert broke a 4-4 deadlock at 16:54 of the third period as Vancouver handed Medicine Hat its fourth loss in a row.
Tyler Popowich, Bowen Byram, Ty Ronning and Dawson Holt also scored for the Giants (28-16-8). David Tendeck made 38 saves for the win.
The Tigers (26-22-7) got their offence from Dalton Gally, Gary Haden, Elijah Brown and Dylan MacPherson. Jordan Hollett combined with Michael Bullion for 34 saves in defeat.