Rockets Pick Up Second Preseason Win
September 14, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Kelowna Rockets News Release
The Kelowna Rockets secured their second win of the preseason as they came back to down the Victoria Royals 5-3 on Tuesday night at Prospera Place.
Tied at one after one period of play, the Rockets grabbed their first lead of the game before Victoria responded with back-to-back goals to hold a 3-2 lead heading into the third frame.
Kelowna rallied in the final period, with Jake Poole scoring a pair of goals including the game-winner on a breakaway while short-handed with 10:51 to play in the third period. The Rockets added an empty netter.
Nicholas Cristiano made his first appearance of the preseason for Kelowna, turning aside 17 of the 20 shots he faced.
GAME SUMMARY Royals starter Logan Cunningham coughed up a rebound right onto Marcus Pacheco’s (1) stick, giving Kelowna the opening lead 6:41 into the game. Tanner Scott (1) tied up the game late in the first seconds after a Rockets penalty had come to an end.
John Babcock’s (1) seeing eye shot found the pack of the net early in the second. Campbell Arnold replaced Cunningham in net for the Royals at 10:06. Alex Edwards (1) and Anthony Wilson (1) scored back-to-back goals minutes apart to push the Royals in front heading into the third.
Jake Poole (2,3) then scored back-to-back goals to restore the Rockets lead. Playing in his first game of the preseason Adam Kydd (1) added an empty-net goal in the final minute.
ADDITIONAL STATS
* In addition to his two goals on the night, Poole led Rockets in +/- with a +4 rating. * Marcus Pacheco joined Poole in the multi-point category, netting a goal and an assist. Pacheco also recorded a team-high seven shots on net * Kelowna outshot Victoria 35 to 20 * The Rockets were 0/3 on the power play while the Royals were 0/4
UP NEXT The Rockets will close out the preseason with a pair of games against the Vancouver Giants this weekend. Kelowna will host Vancouver at Prospera Place on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:05 pm. The two will then face off on Saturday in Maple Ridge, BC at 7:00 pm.
Single game tickets for Friday’s game and the Rockets home opener on September 24th are now available at Select Your Tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050. Two dollars from each preseason ticket sold will be donated to Cops For Kids. ________________________________ Season tickets are still available, don’t miss a minute of the Rockets action and secure yours today.
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