WHL PLAYOFFS: Rockets edge Hawks in OT

KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Portland Winterhawks 2-1 in overtime on Friday night in a thrilling fifth game of the WHL Western Conference Final, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Tyson Baillie converted a centreing pass from Dillon Dube with 5:05 remaining in the first overtime period to end proceedings after a dominating overtime that saw Kelowna outshoot Portland 20-4, May 1.

Goalie Jackson Whistle had a stellar game for the Rockets as the Hawks had outshot Kelowna 39-29 in regulation. Both Whistle and Portland starter Adan Hill were named game stars.

The Rockets led 1-0 after the first on a goal from Riley Stadel and carried that lead all the way through the game, until the Winterhawks tied the game 1-1 with a goal by Nic Petan with just 3:33 left in the third period, sending the game to overtime.

The Rockets had several chances in the extra frame before Baillie was able to fire a one-timer home, after Dube had worked the puck free in the corner.

The win came in front of a raucus sellout crowd at Prospera Place in Kelowna as 6,261 fans took in the game.

Game six in the series is back in Portland on Sunday, May 3 with a 5 p.m. start at Portland's Moda Center.

Game seven if necessary will be held in Kelowna on Tuesday, May 5.

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