Rockets tie series with 4-3 win over Royals

KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Victoria Royals 4-3 on Thursday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, tying their Western Hockey League playoff series at two games a piece.

Cole Linaker scored the game winning goal with just 10.7 seconds remaining in the third period, snapping a 3-3 tie as he tipped in a Justin Kirkland pass from the point.

The win ties the series 2-2 with game five Friday night in Victoria.

The game was tied 1-1 after the first period, 2-2 after the second and 3-3 in the third period as the Rockets held leads of 2-1 and 3-2 only to see Victoria battle back.

Joe Gatenby, Tomas Soustal and Justin Kirkland scored for the Rockets earlier in the game. Linaker's game winning goal came on a power play and sent 5,361 fans into a frenzy in Kelowna.

Michael Herringer earned the win in net as the Royals outshot the Rockets 35-31 in the game.

The series now shifts back to Victoria for game five in the series Friday night. Game six is Sunday at Prospera Place in Kelowna in a 5:05 p.m. start.

Tickets are available for the game through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.