Rockets vs. Tri-City

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

THIRD PERIOD

Almond ices it with a short handed, empty net goal at 19:04.

Benn and Almond again nearly combine to score. Then, Tyson Barrie goes off for interference at 18:45.

Benn and Almond prowl looking for some insurance. But, Pickard holds the fort.

Evan Bloodoff puts Kelowna in front with a great effort at 14:52. Bloodoff jumped on a loose puck in the high slot and took 5 steps in full flight before drilling a shot home.

Evan Bloodoff is up with Almond and Benn and sets up Almond's one-time chance from the high slot. Pickard has the answer for that one.

Lazaruk stops Justin Feser at one end. Then, Lucas Bloodoff dipsy-doodles to get a clean look at Pickard. Still tied with 8:20 left.

Evan Bloodoff has some gas in the tank here in the third. Bloodoff's speed is causing some confusion and panic on the Americans' defence.

Rockets bring some heat on the Americans after killing off an early penalty to Collin Bowman. Still 1-1 with 13:25 left in the third.

SECOND PERIOD

Finally, the Rockets break through. Jamie Benn jams in a loose puck at 18:48 to tie the game 1-1 after 40 minutes.

Americans clinging to 1-0 lead with 3:25 left to go in the period. Clubs playing a little 4 on 4 after coincidental roughing minors to Curt Gogol and Johnny Lazo.

Kelowna back on the PP looking to tie with 7 minutes left in the period. However, so far the Americans have had the best chance. Lazaruk is able smother Taylor Procyshen's try on partial breakaway.

Kris Lazaruk makes a pair of big saves to backstop a successfull Kelowna penalty kill. Rockets then turn up the heat down ice and Evan Bloodoff forces Pickard to make a tough stop.

Crucial time in the game unfolding as the Rockets take consecutive minor penalties 24 seconds apart. Jamie Benn went for roughing followed by Tysen Dowzak on a holding call.

Rockets again come close. Cody Almond can't lift a loose puck to pay dirt.

At the other end, Chet Pickard keeps the puck out despite three whacks by three different Kelowna forwards. Rockets have 1 minute to go on their second PP of the game.

Lazaruk bails out his mates after a neutral zone turn over that leads to a 2 on 1 Americans' rush. Jason Reese wired a high wrist shot that Lazaruk snared with the glove hand.

Interesting but otherwise useless piece of information: Americans have 12 Winnipeg, Manitoba natives in their line-up.

Stepan Novotny, Curt Gogol and Lukas Matejka form a third Kelowna line tonight while Brandon McMillan centers Evan Bloodoff and Jesse Paradis.

FIRST PERIOD

Brendan Shinnimin scores the game's first goal as he lifts a high shot over a fallen Lazaruk on a wrap-around.

Jason Reese had an open net but his deflection of Brett Plouffe's point shot sailed out of play. Six minutes left to go in the period.

Head Coach, Ryan Huska, has some new line combinations at work tonight. Cody Almond is centering Jamie Benn and Dylan Hood. Benn's former center, Colin Long, is between Lucas Bloodoff and Mitchell Callahan.

Rockets draw the game's first PP try after Dylan Hood was dumped in the slot. Shots 5-1 Kelowna with 10:40 left to go.

Lazaruk makes the first tough save of the game as he gloves a low wrist shot despite a screen in front.

PREGAME

Kris Lazaruk gets the start between the posts for Kelowna tonight coming off his 5-0 shut out of Kamloops on Sunday. The Tri-City Americans (14-6-0-0) are in town.