The Cariboo Cougars put a scare into the Okanagan Rockets on Sunday in Kelowna but fell short of an overtime victory.
In the U15 division of the BC Elite Hockey League, the Cougars were down 3-1 when the puck dropped for the third period. Goals by Lucas Woodbeck (power play) and Hunter Henry (with 2:41 to play) drew them even before the buzzer but then Ryder Rougeau scored an OT winner for the Rockets.
Cariboo defenceman Shea Baker opened the scoring on a first-period power play. His goal came at the 14:59 mark but the lead was short-lived. A couple minutes later, Emry Stewart and Conrad Hall scored goals just six seconds apart and the Rockets were up 2-1.
Kelsen Podworny added to the Okanagan lead late in the second period, which set up the Cougars’ comeback in the third.
Calder Barry got the win between the pipes and Kaleb Miller took the loss.
The Cougars also played the Rockets tough on Saturday but fell 4-2. Baker pulled the Cats into a 3-2 deficit with just over six minutes to play but Podworny iced the game with 13 seconds to go.
The Rockets led 2-0 after the first period (goals by Tanner Sunderman and Jaxon Wylie) and the teams played a scoreless second. Clayton Gillmore added to the Okanagan advantage six minutes into the third period. Josh Gendron finally got the Cougars on the board and then Baker’s goal just moments later made things interesting down the stretch.
Elijah Henson (Rockets) and Ryder Green (Cougars) were the goaltenders.
The Cougars, at 2-4-0-2, are seventh in the 10-team division. The Rockets have a 5-3-0-0 record, good for fourth place.
The Cats will be home to the South Island Royals on Saturday and Sunday. Opening faceoffs are 1:15 p.m. and 7:15 a.m. at Kin 1.
The Royals (1-7-0-0) are currently in last place.