Rockets slip past Thunderbirds

Andrusiak scores in 3-1 loss to Kelowna

November 10, 2018 7:30 am
Thunderbirds goalie Liam Hughes falls to the ice in pursuit of the puck during WHL play Friday night. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/T-Birds
Thunderbirds goalie Liam Hughes falls to the ice in pursuit of the puck during WHL play Friday night. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/T-Birds

The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1 in a Western Hockey League game Friday night at the accesso ShoWare Center.

Kelowna (8-10-0-0) went in front 1-0 on a four-on-three power-play goal by Kyle Topping at 10:44 of the first period. Lassi Thomson and Liam Kindree had the assists.

The Rockets extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:10 of the second period on a goal by Libor Zabransky. Michael Farren and Ted Brennan had the assists.

Kelowna took a 3-0 lead on Nolan Foote’s goal at 4:57 of the second. Topping and Lassi Thomson were credited with the assists.

Seattle (7-7-2-0) cut the Rockets lead to two at 15:03 of the second period. Loeden Schaufler carried the puck along the blue from left to right. Schaufler took a wrist shot with Zack Andrusiak in low slot. Andrusiak tipped the puck past Kelowna goalie Roman Basran for his seventh goal of the season.

Schaufler’s assist was his first point as a T-Bird.

The T-Birds had two late power plays, including a six-on-four advantage to end the game, but were not able to score on Basran.

Both teams finished with 33 shots.

Liam Hughes stopped 30 of 33 shots, and his record is 7-5-1-0. Basran had 32 saves on 33 shots, and his record is 4-8-0-0.

Up next

The T-Birds host the Everett Silvertips at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

The T-Birds will wear special Veterans Day-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to benefit Outreach And Research Services (OARS), a group that provides female military veterans the support and resources needed when reentering civilian life.

After the game is the Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot, where every woman in attendance can win a free turkey from Fred Meyer by making a shot on net from the blue line.

Tickets are on sale online on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare box office.

Fans who purchase the 24-flex ticket package will be able to select any available premium seat for any game, in any ticket combination, during the 2018-19 season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Kelowna, Topping 8 (Thomson, Kindree), 10:44 (pp). Penalties – Cowell, Kel (holding), 6:02. Lee, Sea (roughing), 9:09. Foote, Kel (roughing), 9:09. Wedman, Sea (tripping), 10:20. Lee, Sea (holding), 15:58.

Second period – 2, Kelowna, Zabransky 2 (Farren, Brennan), 3:10. 3, Kelowna, Foote 11 (Topping, Thomson), 4:57. 4, Seattle, Andrusiak 7 (Schaufler, Bryks), 15:03. Penalties – Gally, Kel (major-interference, major-fighting, game misconduct), 7:59. Wedman, Sea (unsportsmanlike conduct-served by Davidson, major-fighting), 7:59.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Zabransky, Kel (delay of game), 7:44. Hamaliuk, Sea (hooking), 8:42. Thomson, Kel (interference), 11:38. Topping, Kel (tripping), 17:55.

Shots on goal – Seattle 11-9-13 33, Kelowna 13-10-10 33. Goalies – Seattle, Hughes 33 shots-30 saves (7-5-1-0); Kelowna, Basran 33-32 (4-8-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-5; Kelowna 1-3. A – 4,022. Referees – Mike Campbell, Dexter Rasmussen. Linesmen – Michael McGowan, Bradley Parker.