The last thing the Kelowna Rockets needed to give up on Monday night was a soft goal. Mark Guggenberger made sure that didn‘t happen.
At Everett, Wash., Guggenberger made 40 saves for Kelowna and the Rockets knocked off the Everett Silvertips in Game 7 on Monday night at Comcast Arena, posting a 2-1 win to claim the best-of-seven series 4-3. With the win, Kelowna, unheralded heading into the WHL‘s post-season, advances to the second round. And in the next round, the Rockets will play Tri-City.
But more on Monday‘s unlikely result.
Unlikely because Everett finished 21 points ahead of Kelowna in regular-season standings. Unlikely because the Tips also scored first in each game – until Monday – and the home team had won each game – until Monday.
Enter Guggenberger, who put in a first-star effort by making big save after big save. Over the final two periods, the Silvertips poured it on and outshot the Rockets 34-15.
“We kinda knew that Mark would have to be our best player tonight, and he was that, without a doubt,” a jubilant Rockets head coach Ryan Huska said after the game, which was played before a loud crowd of 4,784. “He made save after save for us.”
Geordie Wudrick, who opened the scoring at 1:36 of the first period with a power-play tally, and Lucas Bloodoff, with the winner midway through the second, scored for Kelowna. Chris Langkow scored the lone goal for Everett, while Kent Simpson stopped 20 shots.
For Guggenberger, the win was sweet redemption for a season marred with doubt and injury. Last season‘s starter seemed to have lost his job to Adam Brown, but Guggenberger came to life in the playoffs, earning four wins in five appearances.
“Seeing all my guys battle in front of me and blocking shots, doing whatever it takes,” said Guggenberger, “it was a great feeling to win.
“Coming into the series (against Everett) – we had this written (in the locker-room) – everyone counted us out, but I think we can compete with any team in the league. This just gave us a chance to show it.” Top of Page
