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The Kelowna Rockets deserved a win on Tuesday night, but ultimately the Seattle Thunderbirds took the series lead by a 2-1 score.
This was one of those games in the WHL playoffs that has fans on the edge of their seats as they watch two talented teams battle back and forth. However, the Rockets were quite clearly the better team in this game, holding the Thunderbirds to just 14 shots on net and controlling most of the play throughout the game.
The first period was a tight battle, but in the second the Rockets came alive and peppered T-Birds' netminder Carl Stankowski with shots, but the kid was just too good. Halfway through the period though, the T-Birds got on the board as Keegan Kolesar beat Michael Herringer after receiving a perfect pass from Ryan Gropp.
The Rockets were playing a bit desperate in the third, but it was working. They continued to put shots on net, and they were rewarded when Nick Merkley's shot bounced off the top of the net and was batted in by Calvin Thurkauf to tie things up. The T-Birds seemed defeated and were simply looking to get the puck out of their end, but with 20 seconds remaining in the period Kolesar netted his second of the game to give his team a 2-1 series lead.
Rockets' hero Reid Gardiner was held off the scoresheet for the first time in 10 games, as the T-Birds stuck to him like glue and took him into the boards every chance they had. Along with goal scorer Calvin Thurkauf, Nick Merkley and Dillon Dube were the shining Rockets' forwards in Tuesday's game.
And the defence... While the rookies have made appearances, Gordie Ballhorn, Cal Foote, Lucas Johansen, James Hilsendager and Devante Stephens have been outstanding in the post-season, and especially on Tuesday. Holding the T-Birds to just 14 shots, these boys were stellar.
Michael Herringer didn't see a lot of action as he stopped 12 Seattle shots, while Carl Stankowski wowed at the other end with 34 saves.
Game four will be at Prospera Place on Wednesday, April 26th before the series moves back to Washington for game five on Friday, April 28th.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
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