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The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Victoria Royals by a score of 4-2 in a come from behind win. This was the third game in a row for the two clubs. The Rockets split the weekend series with the Royals making this game the rubber match.
photo credit KelownaNow - Michael Herringer is now 4-1-0-0 against his former team this season. He made some outstanding saves in the first period to keep the score at 2 against.
It was Victoria that jumped out to two goal lead in the first. The first goal came after Victoria got a hooking call and Leon Draisaitl got a controversial diving call from being hooked.
Victoria made 4 passes as they made their way through the offensive zone to move Herringer way over before Austin Carrol tapped his 35th into a wide open net. The second goal was scored deep in the slot with way too much room given to the Royals player.
In the second the Rockets fought back hard with two goals of their own and several high quality chances that had the Royals back on their heels proving the best defence against the Royals is an ambitious offence. First Madison Bowey with a blast from the point that blew past Justin Paulic and popped the water bottle. The second was scored by Chance Braid on the man advantage.
photo credit KelownaNow - It was Chance Braid who sparked the Rockets in the second. He scored one goal in the game and was named the game's second star.
The Royals were given three chances at the man advantage in the second but it was the Rockets that had the best chances including one where Bowey got in all alone after getting in behind the Royals power play coming out of the box.
At the 13:22 mark of the third, Nick Merkley passed the puck from behind the net to Leon Draisaitl who scored the game winning goal and his 12th of the year.
photo credit KelownaNow - Leon Draisaitl celebrates his 12th of the year. He has 12 goals and 23 assists for a total of 35 points in 21 games.
photo credit KelownaNow - Cole Linaker with two assists in the game was named the game's first star.
The Royals were given plenty of chances on the man advantage, seven in total, and no cigar. Tyson Baillie made the skunk burn even worse when he put the insurance goal in short handed.
The Rockets went one for three on the man advantage and outshot the Royals 29 to 27.
The win improved the Rockets record to a WHL-best 47-10-3-1 on the season.
The Rockets will now get set for a pair of games this weekend beginning Friday night when Kelowna travels to Vancouver to take on the Giants.
On Saturday the Rockets are back at Prospera Place to host the Calgary Hitmen.
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