Just a single home game last weekend for the Golden Rockets, as they entertained the visiting Kelowna Chiefs Saturday night. Action on the ice proved to be close-checking for the opening forty minutes, with not much room for either club to manoeuvre, before the western neighbours opened the game up in the third period to take a 5-2 win.
The clubs were tied at 1-1 after the opening frame, with the Rockets power-forward Brayden Bissell striking for the home team early, on a great setup from Christian Stephanson and Jake O’Keefe. That goal was countered by the Chief’s Brenden Stirbu at 7:34.
The middle stanza saw the teams again trade tallies, as once again, at 8:32, Brayden Bissell scored his 17th goal of the season to move the Rockets into a lead. But the margin lasted only about ninety seconds, as Kelowna deadlocked the contest at 2-2 at the midway mark.
Golden fought hard in the initial minutes of the final period, with both Brett Krawchuk and Christian Stephanson having great scoring chances early, only to be turned aside by Kelowna netminder Ethan Mann. The visitors would later manage to put up a trio of goals, enroute to their 5-2 victory. Despite the loss, Golden goaltender Nick Kotai was solid between the pipes all game long, turning aside 36 Kelowna drives.
This weekend, the Rockets kick off February on the road, when they travel to Grand Forks Friday, Feb.6th and then match skills with the Nelson Leafs on Saturday, Feb.7th. Next home game for the local stars is slated for Tuesday, February 10th, with Columbia Valley in town.
