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The Kelowna Rockets had the chance to knock the Victoria Royals out of the WHL playoffs on Sunday evening, but were unable to do so. The Royals kept their season alive with a 3-2 win over the Rockets, forcing the Western Hockey League Round 2 series to a game seven on Tuesday.
A weak start from the Rockets and some puck luck for the Royals allowed Victoria to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the game.
The Royals sent 16 shots at Rockets' goaltender Michael Herringer in the first period alone. In that first period, Jack Walker stepped in to net the first goal of the game, and Tyler Soy redirected the puck with his body past Herringer for the second.
The second Royals' goal was, surprisingly, a power play goal. The Royals are 3 for 28 on the power play in this series. What does that say about the Rockets? Well for one, their penalty kill has been brilliant, but on the other hand, they need to stay out of the box and keep five skaters on the ice! The Rockets allowed the Royals seven power play opportunities on Sunday evening alone.
Late in the second period Regan Nagy picked up the Royals' third and final goal. Minutes later the Rockets found some offence and Cal Foote buried his own rebound after charging into the offensive zone and easily pushing his way through the Royals' defence to the net.
Things were looking up for the Rockets as Justin Kirkland snapped a wrist shot past Coleman Vollrath early in the third period, but that would be the final Rockets' goal of the night.
Once again, Michael Herringer gave his team a fighting chance, making big save after big save throughout the game. He stopped 33 Royals' shots, and Vollrath stopped 25 Rockets' shots.
The deciding game seven will take place on Tuesday in Victoria, with the winning team earning its spot in Round 3 (Western Conference final) against the Seattle Thunderbirds, who knocked off the Everett Silverbacks 4-1 in their Round 2 series.
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