The Kelowna Rockets leading scorer delivered in the clutch.
Kole Lind, a second round pick of the Vancouver Canucks this year, scored with 3:33 left in the third to tie the game, and then added the winner at 2:38 of overtime to give the Kelowna Rockets a 7-6 victory over the Prince George Cougars.
Lind also picked up an assist for a three-point night; he has already racked up 13 points (6G, 7A) in just five games this season.
What a game. Kelowna's Cole Lind scores the game winner. We're back for more tomorrow… pic.twitter.com/pZmBP6Ttf4
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 7, 2017
Erik Gardiner also scored twice and added an assist for the Rockets who trailed 5-3 after two periods.
The Cougars got eight points from the Jared Bethune (1G, 2A), Kody McDonald (1G, 2A) and 17-year-old Jackson Leppard (1G, 1A) line; all three were plus three in a game filled with defensive mistakes and turnovers.
“We’re just sticking to the system. We’re a pretty skilled line but we are also getting the puck in deep. We are working the cycle and putting the puck on net and have had success with it,” said Leppard on 94.3 the GOAT’S post-game show.
Had some technical difficulties but we're back! Here's a visual tribute to Jackson Leppard's goal in the 2nd! pic.twitter.com/Jkz9wehZe9
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 7, 2017
Dennis Cholowski, Vladislav Mikhalchuk, and Josh Maser also scored for the Cougars who outshot the Rockets 36-33 before 2,892 fans at the CN Centre.
It was the first of eight meetings between the two teams who face off again tonight in Prince George.
“We hate Kelowna. It’s fuel every night. This is a tough division. We don’t like anyone, especially Kelowna. Sometimes we put the Kelowna Rockets on a pedestal. We can play with this team,” said Cougars Associate Coach Steve O’Rourke.
The Rockets are 3-1-0-1, while the Cougars sit 2-3-1.
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