Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Rockets head into break at 13-14-2-1

Andrew Cristall’s exploits not enough in home loss

Dec 18, 2024 | 10:06 AM

It was a night for the record books.

Andrew Cristall put on a show, collecting two goals and an assist for a three-point performance in the Kelowna Rockets’ 5-3 loss to the Prince George Cougars on home ice last night.

The 19-year-old forward etched his name further into Rockets history, moving into sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time points list with career points 133, 134, and 135. Cristall leapfrogged John Varga, who now sits third, and is now just 40 points shy of franchise leader Brett McLean.

“He is a tremendous human being,” said Rockets assistant coach Derrick Martin, reflecting on Cristall’s consistent excellence on and off the ice. “He’s a consummate teammate. Everybody wants to be around him all the time. Everyone in hockey has an ego, but he has a quiet one. He is a confident player. He knows what he is capable of, but he isn’t boastful.”

Cristall’s second goal of the night came early in the second period and was a textbook example of his creativity and skill. With goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen challenging him, Cristall calmly maneuvered the puck around the net on his forehand, slipping it past Ravensbergen for a rare wrap-around goal.

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“To see the things he does with the puck, to see the little plays he can make, he has a very special brain on his head,” Martin added. “This isn’t something that everybody has or is born with. I’ve seen him in practice, and the way he works—it isn’t by accident. He is growth-minded. He is intrinsically motivated, and he’s a hard-working player, which people don’t often see. He is very, very gifted and talented.”

Later in the game, Cristall set up Brett Calhoon for the game-tying goal in the third period. As two Cougar defenders closed in on him in the corner, Cristall absorbed a hit and managed to find Calhoon at the left faceoff circle, where he buried the puck over Ravensbergen’s glove.

“We’re happy for him tonight,” Martin said. “It shows the longevity of the craft. To stay healthy and do something like that is pretty tremendous, especially when you’re the number one target on the opponent’s mind every single night.”

Despite playing without key players like Caden Price, Marek Rocak, Tij Iginla, Jakub Stancl, Carter Kowalyk, and Levi Benson, a shorthanded Rockets squad stood toe-to-toe with the top team in the BC Division. The game remained tight until the Cougars scored the go-ahead goal with nine minutes left in the third period.

“It was a game of inches,” Martin noted. “Both teams showed up and competed. One play—[the fourth goal]—ends up in the back of our net. One little mistake, and it’s a tough way to go into the Christmas break. But that’s the way it is.”

Despite generating 20 shots on goal, the Rockets couldn’t convert on several prime scoring opportunities. Max Graham had a breakaway in the first period but couldn’t finish, and in the second, Cristall, on a two-on-one with Jaxon Kehrig, was denied by a big save from Ravensbergen.

“We had more than enough opportunities to flip the script on this game,” Martin said. “What we’ve seen over the last 10 days is the growth of our young players. Jaxon Kehrig stepped in on our first line and did an admirable job, getting some good looks.

“Jacob Henderson on the backend has done a really nice job. He’s over doubled his ice time in the last couple of weeks and doesn’t look out of place doing it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s frustrating to end this way, but there are bright spots on this team.”

With a 10-day break ahead, the Rockets will take some time off before returning to action on December 28th against the Kamloops Blazers.

“At this time of year, it’s nice for everyone to see family,” Martin said. “As much as it’s a physical reset, it’s also a mental reset.

“We’re not satisfied with where we sit in the standings, and we’re not satisfied with certain aspects of our game. When we show up after the break, we have to be ready to work.”