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By Pieter Uni
The Kelowna Rockets will look avenge a heartbreaking 5-3 loss last night and even their second round playoff series at one game apiece when they face Tri-City tonight in WHL playoff action in Kennewich, Wash.
Coming off a game that saw the two teams deadlocked at two after two periods, the Rockets will hope they can learn from a third period that saw the team concede three goals while getting outshot 17-11.
To win and grab home-ice advantage in the series, Kelowna will need to stay out of the penalty box in game two.
The Americans defeated the visiting Rockets thanks to a timely power-play goal early in the third period. Tri-City grabbed momentum after Adam Hughesman broke a 2-2 deadlock 4:21 into the final period Friday night with Lucas Bloodoff in the sin bin, after the Kelowna captain was whistled moments earlier for interference.
The goal that came while on the man advantage improved Tri-City’s power play success rate to 26.2 per cent, with the Americans having now converted 11 of 42 chances this postseason. Tri-City went 1-for-4 with the man advantage Friday, while Kelowna went 1-for-2.
Despite the loss, the Rockets have plenty of positives to build on.
Geordie Wudrick continues to be red-hot for Kelowna, after tallying his WHL-leading ninth goal of the playoffs and adding his first assist in the game one loss. Brandon McMillan, with one goal and two assists, improved his postseason point total to nine, while Mark Guggenberger turned in a solid performance by stopping 36 of 41 shots in a losing cause.
The puck drops tonight at 7:05 p.m. at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.
Tags: Kelowna Rockets, tri-city americans, whl
