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Playing in their fourth game in five nights, the Rockets would need some late-game heroics to snag the win against the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday.
After Marek Rocak forced overtime, captain Gabriel Szturc only needed a little bit of time before he found the back of the net in the extra frame to take the 5-4 win.
Saskatoon got the scoring started at the 7:17 mark of the first period as Egor Sidorov’s one-timer got past Jari Kykkanen.
The Rockets' newest member, Luke Schelter, made his mark after batting the puck out of the air and into the net.
Luke Schelter whacks in his first as a Rocket, while Andrew Cristall picks up an assist to push his point streak to a new career high of 13 games.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/fJN5LOFc7Z
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 17, 2023
Andrew Cristall was credited with an assist, extending his current point streak to 13 games, a new career best.
Exactly one minute later and playing in his hometown, Caden Price gave the Rockets a 2-1 lead.
The Price family and friends section was rocking after this goal from Caden Price in his hometown. #SEAKraken pic.twitter.com/Qdukb2xa91
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 17, 2023
Kelowna still had some gas left in the tank as Andrew Cristall found Tij Iginla for his team-leading 25th goal.
With a two-goal deficit, the Blades then went on the attack and cut the lead to one in the final seconds of the first period.
The lone goal of the second period would go to the Blades after Brandon Lisowsky scored at the 14:05 mark.
holy moly, jari kykkanen! pic.twitter.com/S5oTcNoaCm
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 17, 2023
Both teams would not find the back of the net until the 15:39 mark of the third period when the Blades scored while shorthanded.
Former Rocket Trevor Wong took off on a two-on-one and Tyler Parr’s shot would get a piece of Kykkanen and squeak into the net.
Down 4-3, the Rockets pulled their goalie and pressed in the final seconds of the game.
Cristall recovered the puck behind the Blades’ net and connected with Marek Rocak who tied the game with 13 seconds left on the clock and forced overtime.
chef roči cooks up some overtime hockey. pic.twitter.com/PV640gHLmL
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 17, 2023
In extra time, Gabriel Szturc’s initial shot was blocked, but he quickly recovered the puck and sent a shot from the left face-off circle, handing the Rockets a 5-4 win.
Captain Gabby sends the Rockets into the holiday break on a high note. pic.twitter.com/Z6y6IeqwSr
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 17, 2023
Kelowna is now 15-15-2 and slowly building traction in the standings after their rough November.
The Rockets will now return home and go on their Christmas break, returning to action on Dec. 27.
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