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After 79 games played in the regular season and the playoffs – the Kelowna Rockets 2023-24 season has come to an end.
The Rockets were on the road and fell 6-3 to the Cougars, losing 4-1 in the best-of-seven series against PG.
The loss was the final WHL game for Gabriel Szturc, Dylan Wightman and Kayden Sadhra-Kang.
Photo Credit: James Doyle/Prince George Cougars
Prince George broke the scoreless draw in the first period when Zac Funk scored his first of the night.
The Cougars retained the lead until the second period when Kelowna scored back-to-back goals 15 seconds apart.
The first came when Tij Iginla passed to Andrew Cristall while on a breakaway to tie the game at the 4:03 mark.
Not long after, the roles were reversed and Cristall connected with Iginla for the go-ahead goal.
Andrew Cristall tees up Tij Iginla #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture | #ALLCAPS | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/YLpMWYeYeM
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 20, 2024
The lead did not last for long, as five minutes later, Jett Lajoie scored his first goal of the postseason to tie the game, the first of five unanswered goals in the middle frame.
Riley Heidt and Funk combined for the four other scores in the period as Funk, a native of Coldstream, secured a hat trick.
The last goal of the game came in the opening minutes of the third period when Gabriel Szturc scored his final goal as a Kelowna Rocket.
Szturc leaves his mark on the franchise with a European player team record of 203 career WHL points.
A tradition like no other 🤝
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 20, 2024
Quintin and Hunter Laing, who are father and son, shared a special hug while in the handshake line tonight. pic.twitter.com/r3VBVxzMt0
Next up for the Rockets is the WHL's US and entry draft, which will occur in early May.
The Cougars will now take on the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference final as they attempt to win their first WHL championship.
Saskatoon and Moose Jaw will meet in the Eastern Conference final.
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