Rockets roar back in third

The Kelowna Rockets started slow but finished with a flourish Wednesday in a 5-3 come-from-behind win over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds.

Jakub Stancl scored twice and Andrew Cristall had a hand in all four third period goals as the Rockets erased a 3-1 deficit with four unanswered over the final 20 minutes.

The start was reminiscent of Saturday against Spokane when the Rockets fell behind 4-1 only to roar back in the third to force overtime.

“It was a real casual first period. Really, really casual against an opponent that got here at 6:30 this morning,” said head coach Kris Mallette.

“Still limit them to five shots but just not a great period.”

He says they got some momentum in the second but still allowed a couple of goals to fall behind 3-1.

“Credit to the group. Third period they came through.

“Not easy for a coach but great resiliency two third periods in a row for us.”

Special teams sparked the Rockets third period comeback.

Hiroki Gojsic pulled the Rockets to within a goal tipping home Cristall’s pass from the edge of the crease on a Kelowna power play. It was Gojsic’s third goal in two games.

“I think as the game wore on…again there’s a player that needs to start on time,” said Mallette of Gojsic.

“He can be a difference maker every game. He’s a big piece of our puzzle, he woke up, scored a big goal which is great.

“That has to be him from the start every single night.”

Cristall tied it seven minutes in on another power play on a pretty give-and-go with Caden Price.

Then, it was Stancl who stepped up in a big way with the winning and insurance goals.

He snapped an eight-game goal drought with a shot from the left circle that handcuffed Scott Ratzlaff and trickled across the line.

Minutes later Max Graham and Cristall won a battle along the wall and worked the puck to Stancl alone in the low slot. He roofed a quick shot over Ratzlaff to seal the victory.

“I thought he played a big man’s game and that’s how he is going to have success.

“He’s got a great shot and I want to see him do it more often.”

Mallette singled Stancl out as one of the more complete players start to finish.

After the sluggish start Mallette split up Cristall and Iginla, sliding Iginla to the wing with Michael Cicek and Gojsic and putting Stancl in the middle with Cristall and Graham.

“They were fighting some pucks early and I didn’t like some decisions we were making early.

“I tried to reunite that line of Iginla, Cicek and Gojsic and obviously that goal right off the bat makes you look like a genius.”

Will those lines remain intact in Prince George?

“It’s a great question. We’ve thought about it quite a bit as a staff.

“It’s not an easy position for Tij to play at centre…(Iginla and Cristall) obviously have unbelievable chemistry, we know they can score some goals together but maybe disbursing it a little bit is the answer but we’ll dissect it a little bit more.”

The move also helped to kick-start Stancl offensively.

“Those two guys are amazing players. It’s easy to play with them,” said Stancl.

“I just had to find the right spot and they will get the puck to me. At least it felt like that.”

The Czechia native found those spots at the right time Wednesday.

Cristall’s four-point night gives his 28 points in just 10 games including nine multi-point games.

The Rockets jump on the bus Thursday morning for the trip north to Prince George where they will face the BC Division-leading Cougars Friday and Saturday.

The Rockets are back home again next Wednesday when they entertain the Wenatchee Wild.