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For the first time since 2009, the Kelowna Rockets have won a trip to the WHL finals where they will meet the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Madison Bowey with two big goals in the game, the first one and a shorthanded goal that tied it at three. (file photo KelownaNow)
The Rockets fell behind 3-0 early in the first period after the Winterhawks scored three quick ones on eight shots, chasing Jackson Whistle from the net.
After the goalie change, the momentum shifted dramatically for the Rockets. It started when Madison Bowey fired a bullet blast past Hill to finish the first down 3-1.
Tyson Baillie has been dynamite in the playoffs and especially great in the Portland series scoring two game winners, and amassing eight points in the series. He has 9 goals and 11 assists in 15 playoff games. (file photo - KelownaNow)
In the second the Rockets just kept coming, first Dillion Dube with his first of the game, then Bowey with his second, this time a shorthanded one that knotted the game at three.
Tyson Baille would break the tie early in the third making it 4-3 for the Rockets. Portland had one last press getting one past Michael Herringer tying it at four.
That was it for the Winterhawks as the Rockets started to fill the net with four more unanswered goals.
Nic Petan with two assists in the game giving him a team record 17 game playoff point streak. He is also the WHL record holder for appearing in 88 career playoff games (file photo KelownaNow)
Justin Kirkland and Cole Linaker with singles made it 6-4. Two empty net goals closed off the scoring, making it an 8-4 win for the Rockets. Dube had his second of the game and Chance Braid had the other.
The Rockets outshot the Winterhawks 41-39 and both teams went 0/3 on the man advantage.
The series win for the Rockets ended four years of Western Conference dominance by the Portland Winterhawks.
The Rockets will make their way home now before heading out to Brandon to play games one and two in the home rink of the Wheat Kings.
The Wheat Kings defeated the Calgary Hitmen in five games to earn their spot in the WHL finals.
The last time the Rockets made their trip to the WHL finals they faced the Hitmen and won in six games for their fourth appearance at the Memorial Cup. The Rockets won the Memorial Cup in Kelowna in the 2004 playoffs.
The WHL Championship series begins this Friday and Saturday night in Brandon. Kelowna will host games three, four and five on May 11, 13 and 15.
The only regular season meeting between the two teams was a 6-1 Kelowna win on October 25th. Game recap - By the time it was all said and done, the Wheat Kings would lose 6-1 to the Rockets, miss on the penalty shot, allow two short handed goals, give up three power play goals and go 0 for 5 on their man advantage opportunities. click here for the game story. (file photo - KelownaNow)
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