- Defenceman Tyson Barrie will get all the headlines following a 5-4 win over the Everett Silvertips, but it was the Kelowna Rockets foot soldiers that were the key in forcing a game seven in their Western Conference playoff series. Barrie was instrumental by scoring twice in the game six win, but it was key goals from rookie Codey Ito in the second period, and captain Lucas Bloodoff in the third, in the one goal win. It was Ito's first career playoff goal and Bloodoff's first of the series. I couldn't have come at a better time. Bloodoff's goal was the game winner.
- It was great to see Ito's goal with assists to foot soldiers Tyler Matheson and Max Adolph. Sixteen year-old Jessey Astles also needs to be credited for his hard work over the course of the game. Evan Bloodoff was especially solid in the third period thanks to his great speed.
- Shane McColgan also scored. It was McColgan's first of the playoffs. McColgan also assisted on the game tying goal from Tyson Barrie, despite being hurt in the second period by a hit from Tips forward Clayton Cumiskey.
- For the sixth straight game the Tips opened the scoring on a soft goal by Scott MacDonald. MacDonald's attempted pass from the end boards hits Mark Guggenberger's leg and goes in just 4:33 into the game.
- The Rockets are nursing a 3-2 lead when referee's Derek Zalaski and Devin Klein get busy by missing several infractions before whistling Rockets forward Spencer Main into the box for tripping. The Tips then score a disputed goal when Guggenberger makes a right pad save off of Tips forward Byron Froese, who appears to push Guggenberger's pad across the goal line. After video review, the goal stands. Then to make matters worse, Brandon McMillan is given a roughing minor which the Tips score on to make it 4-3 for the visitors before periods end.
- It marked the second time in this series that the Rockets came back to win after trailing after 40 minutes.
- For the first time all season long, a non sellout crowd watched the Rockets force a game seven. Just 5 thousand and 38 fans took in the game. It's the smallest crowd of the season. Who would think that it would take a playoff game not to sell out?.
AM 1150 audio from game six.
7 comments:
Hi Regan,
Great job calling the game last night. I'm a Kelowna ex-pat currently living in Halifax, and your play-by-play makes it worth staying up until 1:30am to hear the Rockets!
definitely one of the most entertaining game of the season..Definitely disappointing that the arena was not full. maybe the seasons ticket holder should have got the third game ticket included in their package...Luv the work ethic from the plumber cast..lets hope we see more games this season at home
Woooooo!!! We forced the game 7. Now comes on of the toughest things, trying to win in Everett. I think a good thing to do would be scoring the first goal and not take stupid penalties. We can do this. Go Rockets Go!
What was with the crowd last night? When I first saw that I thought it was an error. Very unusual considering it could be the last home game this season. I would of been there if it were not for a family dinner. I guess lots of people must of had them last night.
George St Pierre was fighting last night in the UFC. Being he is Canadian and MMA is so popular, many people like myself stayed home to watch him.
Good for the Rockets to win and force a game 7. Lets hope they win one in Everett.
Ok, MG you are excused. Where was everyone else? Here is my theory. We (fans) are a little spoiled here in Kelowna. Do we only get interested when it's a 3rd round series or the WHL final? I hope I am dead wrong, but I think this team has delivered so many good playoff runs that we yawn at the prospect of a first round battle. Thoughts?
That theory has merrit. I have lived in Kelowna 40 years and this is a funny place with totally different people. I was a kid but I recall Memorial area was packed for Buckaroo games regardless of how good the team was.
However, I recall being in Prospera Place when the team moved from the old place and it was almost empty for a couple of years as the team wasn't that good.
Maybe your right. Kelowna fans are spoiled. When the team is hot the fans are there to watch. I will say one thing, go to any game and you will see more armchair-pro coaches and scouts than you can handle. I wonder if it is like that at other barns ??
I suspect the low attendance was due to the confusion with season ticket holders. Unfortunately I lost the original packaging/info and could not (still can't) get ahold of anyone to get an actual answer beyond "have you tried calling ..."
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