In the final seconds, the Kelowna Rockets fell to the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night at Prospera Place.
Less than five minutes into the Jan. 26th contest, Rockets leading scorer Andrew Cristall matched his jersey number with his 28th goal of the season to make it 1-0. Ethan Mittelsteadt and Marek Rocak collected the assists.
Goal number 28 on the season for number 28.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Andrew Cristall x
However under two minutes later, Nathan Behm scored for the Blazers to tie the game 1-1.
Later in the frame, the Rockets regained their lead when captain Gabriel Szturc scored his 24th goal of the season, assisted by Cristall and Tij Iginla in his return to the lineup.
Gabriel Szturc shovels home the backhand shot.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
After a scoreless second period, Kamloops tied the game 21 seconds into the third frame courtesy of Ashton Ferster91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s 10th goal of the campaign.
Kamloops collected their first lead of the game a few minutes later when Jordan Keller scored his 13th goal this season.
With just over five minutes to go, it was Szturc finding the back of the net once again to tie the game 3-3. Cristall and Rocak assisted on the goals, giving Cristall a three-point night.
Captain clutch. Gabriel Szturc records his second consecutive multi-goal game.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Fans were treated to free hockey as the game went to overtime. In a fast-paced extra frame, Kamloops put five shots on Rockets goaltender Jari Kykkanen and with 4.7 seconds left in the game, Behm scored his second goal of the contest to give the Blazers just their 12th win of the season.
Kykkanen was busy in net, making 39 saves in the loss.
With his three-point effort, Cristall is tied for second in the WHL with 76 points this season.
Kelowna remains in sixth in the Western Conference despite the loss. They are now 21-21-3-0 on the year.
The Rockets and the Blazers will do it all again on Saturday night, this time at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Puck drop is at 6 p.m.
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