FIGHTING TROUT BEAT ROCKETS 4-1
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The Thompson Rivers Fighting Trout welcomed the Kelowna Rockets for the second game of a back-to-back series, after securing a 5-2 victory on Friday night.
The Fighting Trout started strong, generating plenty of energy and an early high-danger chance from Tommy Lafrenière, who fired a shot just wide of Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon. They struck first when Harrison Brunicke launched a slap shot from the point, and captain Emmitt Finnie deflected it past Pilon to make it 1-0. Fighting Trout forward Ty Bonkowski then burst up the ice with speed, attempting to dazzle his way through defenders but losing control of the puck.
Thompson Rivers earned a power play and generated net-front chances from both Nathan Behm and Jordan Keller, who tried to bang home a quick redirect, but Pilon stood tall. Kelowna then had a turn on the man advantage, and Kayden Longley danced through the defense before sniping a shot past Dylan Ernst to tie the game.
The second period opened with the Fighting Trout controlling possession and making the most of it. Forward Nathan Behm found himself alone on a breakaway but was unable to slip the puck past Pilon. However, with help from Brunicke and Finnie, Behm got his redemption, ripping a wrist shot into the top corner to restore the Trout’s lead.
Brunicke then plastered Carter Kowalyk into the boards behind Ernst, firing up the crowd. Shortly after, Behm delivered a crushing hit, sparking tensions that led to Kowalyk dropping the gloves against Brunicke—who didn’t engage—resulting in a game misconduct and a seven-minute Fighting Trout power play. On the ensuing man advantage, Beau Courtney tapped home a loose puck to make it 3-1, celebrating with a fishing-themed celly. The Trout kept the pressure on, and John Szabo added an insurance goal, knocking in a doorstep rebound to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Rockets came out with urgency in the third period, generating a few quick chances on Ernst, but he turned them away. The play was back and forth, with the Fighting Trout piling up shots. Thompson Rivers earned another power play after a massive hit from Kanjyu Gojsic on Sam Borschawa resulted in an interference call, but they couldn’t convert.
With the final minute winding down, the Fighting Trout controlled possession and dictated the pace. The game ended in old-school hockey fashion, as three fights broke out to settle the score.
The Fighting Trout remain in the playoff hunt and will look to keep their postseason hopes alive as they welcome the Victoria Royals on Tuesday.