Rockets fell to Cougars in overtime at Prospera on Wednesday night

For the ninth consecutive game the Kelowna Rockets picked up a point as they fell 6-5 in overtime to the B.C. Division champion Prince George Cougars on Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The Cougars, who are ranked first on this week’s CHL Top Ten Rankings, held a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.

“It’s a huge point,” said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame interview. “Down 4-1 heading into the third period for our guys to battle back the way they did with two or three minutes left in the game with the lead against the number one team in the country.”

The Rockets, who are now 7-0-1-1 in their last eight have climbed to within a point of Wenatchee who sit fourth in the Western Conference with two games in hand on Kelowna.

The game started off with fireworks as there were two fights within the three minute mark of the puck being dropped. The Cougars found the back of the net first after Matteo Danis redirected Oren Shtrom’s shot past Kykkanen at 5:10. Hiroki Gojsic following up behind Tij Iginla tied things up at 11:27. Terik Parascak would restore the Cougars lead late in the period.

At the midway of the second period Borya Valis (22) extended the Cougs lead after Kykkanen misplayed the puck onto his stick. Zac Funk (64) added a power play goal to give Prince George a 4-1 lead heading into the third period.

Andrew Cristall found Max Graham streaking to the net to get the Rockets offence going 1:43 into the third period. Oren Shtrom’s shot from the left faceoff circle went off the post and in to tie the game with 2:28 to go in regulation.

In overtime, while on a delayed call, Ondrej Becher handed the puck off to Hudson Thornton who ripped a shot through traffic past Kykkanen to secure the victory for Prince George.