Just 31 seconds away from getting back in the win column, the Kelowna Rockets weren't able to secure the win, eventually falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Victoria Royals.
In the first period, the two teams exchanged goals as Royals' Justin Kipkie opened the scoring but Rockets captain Max Graham tied the game just over a couple minutes later.
Kipkie's goal was assisted by Teydon Trembecky and Brayden Boehm while Graham's was assisted by Andrew Cristall and Jackson Gillespie.
Just 32 seconds into the second period, Rockets rookie Levi Benson scored on a breakaway to make it 2-1.
At the 5:06 mark of the frame, the game would become deadlocked once again as Victoria's Vaughn Watterodt scored his second goal of the game, unassisted.
The game remained tied 2-2 until the 8:20 mark of the third period when Cristall ripped home a power-play goal, assisted by Caden Price and Jakub Stancl, giving the Rockets the lead once again.
But late in the game with the extra attacker out of the ice, Cole Reschny came up clutch for the Royals, scoring with just 32 second left in regulation to tie the game 3-3 and force overtime.
After overtime didn't settle anything, the game went to a shootout. Cristall and Reschny exchanged goals, but they were followed up by two missed on each side, meaning extra shooters were needed. In the fourth round of the shootout, Boehm scored for Victoria while Stancl wasn't able to find the back of the net, giving the Royals the 4-3 win.
“I wish I had the recipe, but it’s frustrating to say the least,” said Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette. “We had it there and you lean on some guys to show the right way and those little details and ultimately we weren’t able to get it done.”
Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon, who was just named on NHL's Central Scouting's players to watch list, made 32 saves in the loss, his first of the season. Meanwhile, Victoria netminder Jayden Kraus made 31 saves in the win.
With the loss, the Rockets remain at the bottom of the WHL's Western Conference with a 4-6-0-1 record while moved up to second in the West at 7-2-1-1.
The Rockets will look to get back in the win column on Friday, Oct. 25 but it won't be an easy task as the welcome the reigning WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors (3-7-2-0) to Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. And being the last game before Halloween, it is the annual Hershey Candy Scramble game.
Victoria continues their four-game road trip this weekend with games against the Prince George Cougars (6-4-2-1) on Friday and Saturday night. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.
