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Cristall collects 3 points but Kelowna Rockets fall in the final seconds

Andrew Cristall is tied for second in WHL scoring with 76 points
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Rockets forward Andrew Cristall in action against the Spokane Chiefs at Prospera Place on Nov. 18. (Steven Dunsmoor/Submitted)

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.

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.

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.

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.

READ MORE: Pushback on City of Kelowna91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s plan for future of Prospera Place

READ MORE: Sports, community always score at Penticton Minor Hockey

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Jordy Cunningham

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree
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