(Image Credit: Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club)
1-1-0-0 in pre-season

Rockets earn shootout win

Sep 6, 2026 | 7:21 AM

The Kelowna Rockets picked up their first win of the 2026 preseason Saturday night, beating the Kamloops Blazers 3-2 in a shootout at Prospera Place.

Dane Sorensen and Ryan Oothoudt each had a goal and an assist, while Josh Banini stopped 32 of 34 shots in the Kelowna net.

Drew Larioza and Cole Braunshausen scored in the shootout to give the Rockets the win and a split of their preseason home-and-home series with the Blazers.

Kelowna opened the scoring in the first period when Oothoudt found Sorensen in the slot. Sorensen stepped into the pass and fired a one-timer past Kamloops goaltender Kaeden Tate for his first goal of the preseason. Eli Barrett picked up the second assist.

The Blazers answered later in the period after Collin Kim was awarded a penalty shot. Kim beat Banini blocker side to tie the game at 1-1.

The Rockets regained the lead just 49 seconds into the second period.

Sorensen’s shot from the slot created a rebound, and Oothoudt was there to put it past Tate and make it 2-1. Cole Braunshausen picked up the secondary assist.

Kamloops tied the game again at 5:17 of the third period when Owen Cooper scored to make it 2-2.

Neither team could find the go-ahead goal before the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime.

Banini came up with a couple of big point-blank saves during the extra period to keep the game tied and force a shootout.

Larioza scored on Kelowna’s second attempt before Braunshausen converted in the third round.

Banini then stopped two of the three Kamloops shooters he faced to secure the victory.

The Blazers finished with a 34-28 edge in shots. Kelowna went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Kamloops was 0-for-5.

The Rockets continue their preseason schedule Wednesday, September 9, when they travel to Penticton to take on the Vees at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Puck drop is set for 6:35 p.m.

Kelowna will close out the preseason at home against Penticton on Saturday, September 12 at Prospera Place. That game gets underway at 6:05 p.m.

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