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Game two was a battle of goaltenders and Jackson Whistle holds the slight edge especially now with back to back shutouts. Eric Comrie was good on the night holding the Rockets to just one goal until Leon Draisaitl made it 2-0 with 4:06 to play in the third.
Kelowna came out of the gate strong outshooting the Americans 20-6 in the first and scoring the lone goal. Rodney Southam put the puck past Comrie with 7:42 gone into the first. Southam's goal was his first of the playoffs and it would be the game winner.
Rodney Southam celebrating the game winning goal early in the first. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
The Americans played a rough and tough game going after the Rockets. Maxwell James instigated a fight with Tyrell Goulbourne with 20 seconds to go in the first period.
The Americans played a better game in the second match choosing to play a more physical game.(photo credit - KelownaNow)
Maxwell James instigates a match with Tyrell Goulbourne at the end of the first period. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
Devante Stephens made some key plays early in the game including this play where he prevented Brian Williams from getting his stick on the puck with Whistle on the other post. Stephens left the game in the first with a leg injury. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
The second period was much better for the Americans, no goals scored for either team, but Tri-City booked 13 shots to Kelowna's 11.
Eric Comrie was named the game's first star for keeping his team in the game. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
The third period was played very close with Whistle having to come up with some huge saves to keep his shutout alive.
Draisaitl's goal came with 4:06 to go giving the Rockets the insurance marker.
Leon Draisaitl celebrating his second goal of the playoffs. He picked up the puck in the neutral zone and carried it in and put a lazer beam high over the blocker of Comrie. He was named the game's second star with a goal and one assist. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
Tyson Baillie scored into the empty net at the 18:36 mark making it 3-0, Draisaitl got the assist along with Gage Quinney.
Jackson Whistle has not allowed a goal in the first two games of the best of seven. This save in the third was one of his best in the game. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
Both Kelowna and Tri-City had three power play opportunities and neither scored on the man advantage, Kelowna outshot Tri-City 45 to 30.
Captain Madison Bowey was quick to congratulate Whistle on his great performance. (photo credit - KelownaNow)
The series now shifts to Tri-City where the Rockets and Americans will play games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday in Kennewick, WA.
If necessary game five in the series will be back in Kelowna on Friday, April 3.
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