No Kydding; Rockets turn the tide to get weekend split against the Cougars

A strong powerplay performance from the Kelowna Rockets proved to be too much for the Prince George Cougars to handle.

The Rockets went 3-for-8 with the man advantage in dumping the Cougars 5-1 before 1,937 fans Saturday night at CN Centre.

It was a far different game from Friday where Prince George doubled Kelowna 6-3.

The Cougars had one stretch in the second period where they took three minor penalties in just 71 seconds.

The (1-1-1) Rockets got power-play goals from Marcus Pacheco, Adam Kydd, and Gabriel Szturc.

The 20-year-old Kydd added an even-strength goal as well, and assisted on Pacheco’s marker for a three point night.

Try to stop Pacheco on the power play. @Kelowna_Rockets pic.twitter.com/WZrtFIL1jW

— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 2, 2022

While first star Andrew Cristall didn’t put the puck past Ty Young himself, the 17-year-old forward from Burnaby put on an impressive performance with four assists.

Cristall is expected to be a high pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Down 3-0, the Cougars had a chance to get back into the game but Riley Heidt was stopped on a penalty shot by third star Jari Kykkanen.

Shortly after, Prince George failed to capitalize on a two-man advantage.

“You have to score on those five-on-threes, and we had a couple of really good looks,” said Cougars coach and general manager Mark Lamb on the 94.3 the Goat post-game show.

“It’s not all about the powerplay, we got to score some greasy goals.”

The Cougars did get a powerplay marker from Chase Wheatcroft in the third, but it was too little, too late.

Chase Wheatcroft channelling his inner ‘Forsberg’ (Peter, of course). @PGCougars pic.twitter.com/YevAMNDRlV

— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 2, 2022

“We did some things alright, but we just have to get a little greasier. We have to play a little harder in those hard areas, and that’s exactly what they did,” stated Lamb.

The full box score can be found here.

The (2-2) Cougars will be on the road next weekend, visiting the Vancouver Giants on Friday and the Everett Silvertips on Saturday.

GAME SUMMARY

SCORING

KEL: 1st Period-7:15- Turner McMillen (1). Assists: Caden Price, Andrew Cristall
KEL: 1st Period-11:32-PP- Marchus Pacheco (1). Assists: Gabriel Szturc, Adam Kydd
KEL: 1st Period-17:01- Adam Kydd (2). Assists: Elias Carmichael, Gabriel Szturc

KEL: 2nd Period-14:09-PP- Adam Kydd (3). Assists: Andrew Cristall, Elias Carmichael

PG: 3rd Period-7:42-PP- Chase Wheatcroft. Unassisted
KEL 3rd Period-9:02-PP- Gabriel Szturc. Assists: Andrew Cristall, Caden Price

GOALTENDING

Cougars: Ty Young (L), 60:00 (5 GA, 33 SVS)
Rockets: Jari Kykkanen (W), 60:00 (1 GA, 32 SVS)

SHOTS

Cougars: 33
Rockets: 38

SPECIAL TEAMS

Cougars: 1/4
Rockets: 3/8

THREE STARS

1. 1. Andrew Cristall 4 A
   2. Adam Kydd 2 G, 1 A
   3. Jari Kykkanen 1 GA, 32 SVS

Hey, @GreenDay.

Time to wake up. #WHLScores pic.twitter.com/7p6V5wzOAg

— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 2, 2022

With files from the PG Cougars and Hartley Miller