By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders ousted by Rockets in shootout

Jan 19, 2019 | 11:19 PM

The Kelowna Rockets headed into the weekend on a six-game scoring streak, and were slated to play against the top two teams in the WHL. They picked up a perfect four points, beating the WHL Western Conference leading Everett Silvertips 2-0 on Friday, before defeating the top CHL team in the Prince Albert Raiders, 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday in Kelowna.

Although the Raiders have 39 wins on the season, none of those have come in a shootout. They are 0-2 in that department thus far. They’re now 39-5-0-2 on the season, and 2-0-0-1 through three games on their B.C. road trip.

Special teams played a big part in the game, as the Raiders were 0-4 on the power play. The Rockets were 1-3 with their man-advantage and that goal came had a critical part of the game. Lassi Thomson scored with 5:09 left in the game to tie it up. That led to Nolan Foote’s shootout winner.

Curious Gorges

Before the game, the Kelowna Rockets honoured Josh Gorges, who recently retired from the NHL after 13 seasons. Gorges captained the Rockets to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004. The Rockets waited until the Raiders came into town to celebrate Gorges’ career, as his coaches then were now the current-Raiders staff in Marc Habscheid and Jeff Truitt.

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Truitt said that he and Habscheid were told about five minutes before the warmups that they would be a part of the ceremony.

“It was quite an honour. He had such a great career here coming out of nowhere. He wasn’t a part of a bantam, he never got drafted into the NHL. He just worked and worked,” Truitt said. “He got everything he deserved. He played 13 years because of his work, his dedication, his leadership. It makes you feel old a little bit, when one of your old players retires from the NHL.”

The Rockets honoured Josh Gorges before the game today. He went on to have a really good and long NHL career pic.twitter.com/Fq4KLM8PZY

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Aliaksei Protas from Brett Leason and Brayden Pachal, 4:51

Brayden Pachal gains the zone, forces a rebound and Aliaksei Protas buries the puck in… but the goal is under review. pic.twitter.com/ihoFvsyNM1

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

1-1, Rockets, Kyle Topping from Nolan Foote and Leif Mattson, 12:36

Kyle Topping somehow protects the puck and shovels it one-handed into the net. 1-1 game, 12:36 into the first. pic.twitter.com/lf5vLcQjTc

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

2-1, Rockets, Nolan Foote from Leif Mattson and Lassi Thomson, 16:03

Just as he’s absorbing a check that takes off his helmet, Nolan Foote with an absolute snipe to put the Rockets up 2-1. pic.twitter.com/sigbtVw3aW

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

Second Period

2-2, Raiders, Dante Hannoun from Spencer Moe and Parker Kelly, 1:42

That goal was Al Dante. Dante Hannoun scores in consecutive game and knots the score at 2-2, 1:42 into the second. Moe fans on the pass (maybe on purpose), but eventually feeds Hannoun. pic.twitter.com/00wAUhkRdx

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

Third Period

3-2, Raiders, Parker Kelly from Dante Hannoun and Spencer Moe, 7:52

Parker Kelly rips one high after Spencer Moe feeds the beast. 3-2 Raiders, 7:52 into the third period. That line with Dante Hannoun has been buzzing on this road trip. pic.twitter.com/VaZS09BBiT

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

3-3, Rockets, Lassi Thomson from Nolan Foote and Roman Basran (power play), 14:51

Lassi Thomson with a clapper on the power play that ties it up at 3-3 with 5:09 left in the game pic.twitter.com/8ekdIpuFDt

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

Overtime

No scoring.

Shootout

4-3, shootout winner, Nolan Foote

Here’s Nolan Foote’s shootout winner, the only goal in the 3 games. Rockets upset the Raiders 4-3 in a shootout. pic.twitter.com/ySFipvewUp

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 20, 2019

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW