KELOWNA, B.C. — The defending WHL champion Kelowna Rockets were looking to avenge a pair of losses to the Everett Silvertips when the Tips returned to Prospera Place on Friday.
The Rockets will have to wait a little longer to avenge last week’s defeats as the Silvertips beat Kelowna 3-2 in overtime for their third win over the Rockets in as many matchups this season before 5,171 fans.
Cole MacDonald found the back of the net for the game-winner at 2:10 in the overtime session as the Tips improved to 6-0 in games decided in 3-on-3 overtime. Everett (23-12-0-2, 48 points) has now won four straight.
B.C. Division and Western Conference leader Kelowna (28-10-3-0, 58 points) saw the Tips overcome deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 as the Rockets dropped their third game in their last four outings.
Unlike last week, when the Rockets were without five forwards due to World Juniors and suspensions, Friday’s Kelowna contingent featured a full complement of skaters. What the Rockets were lacking, however, was star goaltender Jackson Whistle, who is out two-to-three weeks with a lower body injury.
Backup goalie Michael Herringer recorded 23 saves, but surrendered two power-play goals in regulation that necessitated the extra session.
Remi Laurencelle scored both of Everett’s power-play goals as the Silvertips finished 2-for-3 on the man advantage. His second tied the game at 2-2 in the third at 15:12.
It was the first goal in nearly two full periods after the teams battled through a scoreless second period.
The Rockets took a 2-1 advantage in the first period as Cal Foote assisted both Kelowna goals. The first came on a tip-in from Rourke Chartier at 3:31.
The second came on a backhand shot by Tyson Baillie at the front of the crease at 15:33 in the opening stanza and broke a brief 1-1 tie.
Between those two scores Everett knotted the score at 14:52 when Laurencelle one-timed a slap shot from the right circle to make it 1-1.
Carter Hart, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week recorded 26 saves and was a key reason the Silvertips killed all three penalties.
MacDonald added an assist and Laurencelle assisted on the game-winning goal.
Kelowna outshot Everett 28-26 for the game, but the Tips held a 13-7 edge in the third period.
Everett returns to action Saturday against Seattle at 7 p.m. at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
Silvertips 3, Rockets 2 (OT)
Everett 1 0 1 1 —3
Kelowna 2 0 0 0 —2
1st Period—1, Kelowna, Chartier 7 (Foote, Thurkauf), 3:31. 2, Everett, Laurencelle 21 (Martin), 14:52 (PP). 3, Kelowna, Baillie 25 (Foote, Lind), 15:33. Penalties—Chartier Kel (interference), 6:34; Johansen Kel (cross checking), 14:01; Dewar Evt (delay of game), 17:52.
2nd Period—No Scoring.Penalties-Martin Evt (interference), 15:26.
3rd Period—4, Everett, Laurencelle 22 (Leedahl, MacDonald), 15:12 (PP). Penalties—Linaker Kel (checking from behind), 14:37; Juulsen Evt (cross checking), 17:23.
OT Period—5, Everett, MacDonald 5 (Laurencelle), 2:10. Penalties—No Penalties
Shots on Goal—Everett 8-4-13-1-26. Kelowna 11-9-7-1-28.
Power Play Opportunities—Everett 2 / 3; Kelowna 0 / 3.
Goalies—Everett, Hart 22-11-0-2 (28 shots-26 saves). Kelowna, Herringer 9-4-1-0 (26 shots-23 saves).
A—5,171
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