The Okanagan Rockets needed to shake off a little rust before they rallied from a two goal deficit to settle for a 3-3 draw with Chateauguay to open the Telus Cup for both clubs.
A tentative start cost the Rockets as Tyler Hylland was sprung on a clear cut break away to put the Grenadiers on the board at the 8:47 mark.
Much of the opening frame belonged to Chateauguay, who looked to take control of the game with a late 1st period power play with the rusty Rockets killing of a bench minor for too many men. Brett Young had other ideas he walked in on a breakaway of his own shorthanded to put the Rockets on the board with just 11 seconds left in the opening frame.
Whatever momentum was gained from the Young goal didn’t carry over to the second period as Chateauguay scored at 6:23 and 7:48 to take control of the game at 3-1.
Slowly but surely, the Rockets began to find there form and claw back into the game.
At 16:26 of the 2nd period Tanner Wishnowski innocently put the puck on goal and it somehow snuck past goaltender Etienne Monpetit pulling the Rockets to within one at 3-2.
The 3rd period was all Okanagan as they outshot the Grenadiers 15-5. With 7:56 to go in the 3rd, Liam Finlay scored yet another clutch goal for the Rockets to pull them even at 3-3.
Despite some late pressure, the Rockets were unable to find the go ahead marker and the two clubs settled for the 3-3 tie.
Special teams proved to play a big factor in the game as the Rockets killed 7 of 8 Chateauguay power play chances, while they struck once on five chances of their own.
At 0-0-1 the Rockets and Grenadiers trail Prince Albert by a single point after PA defeated Toronto 4-1 to open the tournament. After the 5 game round-robin, the top 4 clubs will advance to the semi-final round.
The Rockets will face the host Moose Jaw Generals Tuesday evening.
