Tomas Poletin plays hero as Rockets strike in overtime

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“We put up 37 shots, and we’re doing a good job as a group of getting shot volume,” McMillan said. “We just have to get some more bodies to the net and get some more goals early in the game.”

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Portland goaltender Cruz Chase was a major reason the game remained close. His performance kept the Winterhawks within striking distance despite Kelowna’s offensive pressure.

The Rockets opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the game when Ryan Oothoudt found the back of the net. The early strike gave Kelowna an immediate advantage, but McMillan knows a quick goal can sometimes create a false sense of security.

“Absolutely,” he said. “You always get that first goal early, and as a player, you’re thinking, ‘Oh, nice.’ But I thought our group did pretty well with it. We had a good first period. We came out skating really well.”

Kelowna carried that pace into the opening 20 minutes, playing a physical brand of hockey that put Portland under pressure. The challenge was sustaining it against a Winterhawks team capable of responding.

“They turned it on a little bit,” McMillan said of Portland. “They started skating and pushing their forwards out, putting us at rest a little bit and getting pucks in. There’s another team out there, and they did a good job of countering it.”

Poletin restored the Rockets’ advantage in the second period, giving Kelowna a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

The Rockets had opportunities to extend the margin, including five power plays, but failed to convert. Their inability to capitalize left the door open for Portland to get back into the game.

McMillan felt the power play had its chances but needed to be more decisive around the puck.

“I think it just comes down to a little bit of execution,” he said. “There are some plays to be made that we didn’t execute. We were a little content being on the outside tonight. If we can shoot a few more pucks and make them feel uncomfortable, that’s when plays really start to open up.”

Portland eventually tied the game at two in the third period, scoring just after a Rockets penalty kill had ended. Kelowna had possession but couldn’t clear the puck, allowing the Winterhawks to capitalize.

Rather than allowing the tying goal to change the momentum completely, the Rockets responded with a strong shift.

“I thought our group did really well,” McMillan said. “We had the puck on our stick and didn’t get it clear, and they capitalized. But that next shift, the Gerwing line with Folstrom really took the game over and said, ‘Hey, you know what, guys? We’re going to be OK.’ They had a really good shift after that and settled us down.”

Kelowna generated several more chances in the closing minutes of regulation but couldn’t find the winner, sending the game to overtime.

That’s where Poletin and his linemates took over.

McMillan credited Jakub Frolo for winning a battle in the corner against two Portland players before finding Poletin in the slot. Dane Sorensen also helped keep the play alive, allowing the Rockets to turn a developing opportunity into the decisive moment.

“I thought Frolo started a little bit slow, but once the game got going, he really possesses the puck,” McMillan said. “He’s unbelievable with it. He’s very deceptive, and he can really take over a game when he’s willing to.”

Frolo’s vision made the difference.

“He won a puck battle against two guys, and that’s his vision,” McMillan said. “He has great vision and saw Poletin come in right down the slot. When you give Poletin an opportunity in the slot with his shot, it’s going to be hard for a goalie to stop.”

The finish also offered a glimpse of what Kelowna hopes will become a productive combination. Poletin and Frolo are still adjusting to playing with new linemates, but McMillan believes their chemistry is beginning to develop.

“They’re getting a lot of good looks and generating a lot when they’re on the ice together,” he said. “Over the course of the season, they’re just going to keep growing together.”

For Poletin, the key is finding open space and letting his shot do the work.

“He has an elite shot,” McMillan said. “If we can find him in that soft area, he’s going to score a lot of goals.”

The overtime winner was particularly satisfying for a Rockets team that struggled in extra time last season.

“It’s always nice,” McMillan said. “Last year, we really struggled. It gives us some confidence, for sure. We’ve definitely talked about it a little bit more this year and earlier in the year.”

Those extra points can become significant as the season progresses.

“These are huge points that we’re really trying to get,” McMillan said. “That could be the difference between making the playoffs or not, or having home ice or not.”