Heartbreaking loss in overtime

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Kelowna assistant coach Mike Reagan wasn’t pleased with how his team started, but he gave the players credit for finding a way to get back into the game.

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“We were pretty flat for the first 28 minutes, probably, or maybe even 30,” Reagan said following the loss.

The Rockets struggled to generate much offensively early, spending considerable time without the puck as Spokane dictated the pace. However, Kelowna managed to stay within striking distance, and its first goal provided a much-needed spark.

“Once we scored that first goal, then we started to get our legs a little bit and obviously a lot more energy on the bench,” Reagan said. “That goal gave us some momentum.”

Reagan wasn’t entirely sure why his team lacked its usual jump, suggesting the anticipation of playing one of the Western Hockey League’s top teams can sometimes work against a club.

“I thought we were blah,” he admitted. “Sometimes you can tell when you just don’t have that adrenaline going in your legs under you, and tonight that was the case.”

Despite the slow start, Reagan liked the determination his players showed when the game could easily have slipped away.

“For whatever reason, we didn’t have a good start, but at the end of the day, it just goes to show you that you’re not out of any game until you decide that you’re out of that game.”

The Rockets also deserve credit for maintaining their composure during a game that featured some calls that didn’t necessarily go their way.

Rather than allowing frustration to take over, Kelowna stayed engaged and eventually took advantage of its own opportunities on the power play.

“We did do a good job of keeping our composure,” Reagan said. “Looking back at the penalties and some calls that looked questionable at the time, we did a good job of not unraveling and basically taking ourselves right out of the game if we do that.”

The power play provided another encouraging sign, particularly with the recent return of Czech forward Vojtech Cihar. The coaching staff is still working to establish chemistry and find the right combinations on its two units.

“I thought our power play looked really good tonight,” Reagan said. “Your power play isn’t going to score every time you’re out there, but they can’t lose momentum, and I thought for the most part, our power play gave us some momentum here tonight.”

The Rockets were also without defenceman Dane Sorenson, another player whose offensive contributions have to be accounted for when assembling the special-teams units.

Reagan believes there is more potential to unlock as the group gets healthier and spends additional time together.

Spokane’s physical approach was another talking point. Reagan acknowledged the Chiefs appeared to make Kelowna’s Czech forward line, featuring Cihar, Tomas Poletin and Jakub Frolo, a particular focus.

The trio represents a significant offensive threat, and Reagan understands why an opposing coaching staff might make them a target.

“I actually think that their game plan almost got us back into the game a little bit,” he said. “It kind of fired some of our guys up and we started to get a little bit angry.”

That emotional response helped bring some life to the Rockets, who eventually took advantage of a five-minute power play to draw even.

The opportunity came after a Spokane player collided with Kelowna goaltender Harrison Boettiger, resulting in a major penalty and game misconduct. Reagan felt the call was justified after watching the replay.

“Botts is a huge part of our team and you never want to see that happen,” Reagan said. “I don’t think that we’re a team that’s ever going to just allow that to happen.”

Kelowna managed to make Spokane pay on the scoreboard, tying the game. However, Reagan would have liked to see the Rockets take advantage of the lengthy power play and grab the lead.

Instead, the game went to overtime, where an unfortunate sequence ended the night.

Braunshausen was penalized for hooking, putting Spokane on the power play. The Chiefs eventually capitalized after a shot was blocked by Kelowna defenceman Jacob Henderson, with the puck taking an unfortunate bounce back to a Spokane player.

Reagan was quick to defend Henderson, who did exactly what was expected of him in trying to get in front of the shot.

“Hendo does what he’s supposed to do and tries to block a shot,” Reagan said. “It’s an unfortunate bounce that goes right to them.”

Boettiger was also left reacting to the initial shot and the subsequent bounce.

Braunshausen, meanwhile, had his share of opportunities earlier in the game, including a shot off the post and another good look from the slot on the power play. Reagan believes the forward may be squeezing his stick a little, but emphasized how much he has contributed to the team.

“He’s been a great player for us, and you hope that you can bail out a guy in those situations,” Reagan said.

Reagan views the regular season as an opportunity to work through those situations before the games carry even greater significance.

“At the end of the day, we’re learning how to win,” he said. “It’s a dress rehearsal for the playoffs, and all these mistakes that you make in the regular season, you’ve got to learn from them and hopefully avoid them later on in the year when it really counts.”

There won’t be much time to dwell on Wednesday’s result. The Rockets head north for back-to-back games against the Prince George Cougars on Friday and Saturday.

“We think we’re a pretty good team, and once we get healthy and everybody in the lineup, and some practice time together as a group, I think we can play with anybody,” he said.