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03-29-2006, 07:27 AM
Cracknell helps Ice the Rockets www.kelownadailycourier.ca
By Doyle Potenteau
Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 12:48 AM
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CRANBROOK — They saved the best for last. The Kootenay Ice, that is.
Adam Cracknell potted the game-winning goal, a one-timer from the high slot that closed out the scoring, and Taylor Dakers made a flurry of saves in the final two minutes as the Kootenay Ice beat the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 in Western Hockey League playoff action Tuesday night. Kootenay now leads the Western Conference quarter-final series 2-1, which resumes today, 6 p.m. PT, in Cranbrook.
“We had our chances at the end,” Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt said following the sloppy game.
Cracknell’s goal was the only memorable highlight in a contest played before just 2,923 fans.
“It was sloppy,” continued Truitt. “Teams went back and forth with neither making pretty plays. Both sides made lots of neutral-zone turnovers, and when those things happen, nobody really establishes possession.
“We certainly didn’t do that for the first half of the game. In the third period, we had great chances and we did everything we did in Games 1 and 2. But 20 minutes doesn’t do it.”
Ryan Russell, with his second of the playoffs, Steve DaSilva and Ben Maxwell also scored for Kootenay. Kirt Hill, who opened Game 3’s scoring late in the first period, Troy Bodie and Brent Howarth replied for Kelowna, which led 1-0 after 20 minutes, but trailed 3-2 after two periods.
Derek Yeomans made 27 saves for the Rockets, who pulled their goaltender near game’s end for the extra attacker but came up empty-handed. Dakers turned aside 35 shots for the Ice, who were outshot for the third straight game, this time 38-31.
Kelowna will host Game 5 on Friday.
By then Rockets defenceman Alexander Edler hopes to have recovered from Tuesday’s game. The six-foot-two
defenceman was beaten twice on a pair of two-on-two rushes that led to Kootenay goals.
Russell scored off a centering pass from Cracknell 57 seconds into the second period to make it 1-1 with Edler getting outsmuscled by Cracknell.
Seven minutes later, Cracknell found Maxwell charging through the slot with Edler in pursuit to make it 3-2.
“We played better in the third . . . we need to play a full 60,” said a downcast Edler. “We can’t play well just for 20 minutes. We have to play like we did at home. It’s bad of me, too . . . both goals . . . I don’t know what to say about it. I have to play better.”
“At this time of the season, those inches mean a lot,” said Truitt. “It could be a defenceman, it could be a forward that blows that coverage. But it seems when one falls down, it
really comes unravelled.”
While Edler wasn’t at his best, Cracknell was. The 20-year-old was strong on the puck and finished the night with three points plus a swarm of hits. His best moment, though, was finishing a one-timer from Russell along the right half-wall that beat Yeomans stick-side.
“It was a good effort by everyone,” said Cracknell. “All the lines were going and Dakes played well again. But those last 30 seconds were really nerve-wracking. They were throwing everything on net and you never know what’s going to happen; all it takes is just one little bounce to go in, but luckily the puck stayed out and we got the win.”
* The Daily Courier is the only local newspaper on the road with the Kelowna Rockets reporting daily to keep our readers up to date on all the happenings of the Okanagan’s favourite team as they drive for
another WHL championship.
By Doyle Potenteau
Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 12:48 AM
Email this article
Send a Letter to the Editor about this Story
Printer friendly page
CRANBROOK — They saved the best for last. The Kootenay Ice, that is.
Adam Cracknell potted the game-winning goal, a one-timer from the high slot that closed out the scoring, and Taylor Dakers made a flurry of saves in the final two minutes as the Kootenay Ice beat the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 in Western Hockey League playoff action Tuesday night. Kootenay now leads the Western Conference quarter-final series 2-1, which resumes today, 6 p.m. PT, in Cranbrook.
“We had our chances at the end,” Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt said following the sloppy game.
Cracknell’s goal was the only memorable highlight in a contest played before just 2,923 fans.
“It was sloppy,” continued Truitt. “Teams went back and forth with neither making pretty plays. Both sides made lots of neutral-zone turnovers, and when those things happen, nobody really establishes possession.
“We certainly didn’t do that for the first half of the game. In the third period, we had great chances and we did everything we did in Games 1 and 2. But 20 minutes doesn’t do it.”
Ryan Russell, with his second of the playoffs, Steve DaSilva and Ben Maxwell also scored for Kootenay. Kirt Hill, who opened Game 3’s scoring late in the first period, Troy Bodie and Brent Howarth replied for Kelowna, which led 1-0 after 20 minutes, but trailed 3-2 after two periods.
Derek Yeomans made 27 saves for the Rockets, who pulled their goaltender near game’s end for the extra attacker but came up empty-handed. Dakers turned aside 35 shots for the Ice, who were outshot for the third straight game, this time 38-31.
Kelowna will host Game 5 on Friday.
By then Rockets defenceman Alexander Edler hopes to have recovered from Tuesday’s game. The six-foot-two
defenceman was beaten twice on a pair of two-on-two rushes that led to Kootenay goals.
Russell scored off a centering pass from Cracknell 57 seconds into the second period to make it 1-1 with Edler getting outsmuscled by Cracknell.
Seven minutes later, Cracknell found Maxwell charging through the slot with Edler in pursuit to make it 3-2.
“We played better in the third . . . we need to play a full 60,” said a downcast Edler. “We can’t play well just for 20 minutes. We have to play like we did at home. It’s bad of me, too . . . both goals . . . I don’t know what to say about it. I have to play better.”
“At this time of the season, those inches mean a lot,” said Truitt. “It could be a defenceman, it could be a forward that blows that coverage. But it seems when one falls down, it
really comes unravelled.”
While Edler wasn’t at his best, Cracknell was. The 20-year-old was strong on the puck and finished the night with three points plus a swarm of hits. His best moment, though, was finishing a one-timer from Russell along the right half-wall that beat Yeomans stick-side.
“It was a good effort by everyone,” said Cracknell. “All the lines were going and Dakes played well again. But those last 30 seconds were really nerve-wracking. They were throwing everything on net and you never know what’s going to happen; all it takes is just one little bounce to go in, but luckily the puck stayed out and we got the win.”
* The Daily Courier is the only local newspaper on the road with the Kelowna Rockets reporting daily to keep our readers up to date on all the happenings of the Okanagan’s favourite team as they drive for
another WHL championship.