Kelowna earns ticket to Memorial Cup final

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Ending the round robin portion of the tournament with a record of two wins and one loss, the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets had to wait the winner of the tie-breaker game between Rimouski and Quebec before knowing they will have to face the Remparts. Ending the first period tied 1-1 the Rockets came back with four goals in second adding four others in third to earn the right to be part of Memorial Cup final with a 9-3 win over the host Quebec Remparts.

Justin Kirkland (2g-2a) and Rourke Chartier (2g-1a) led the Kelowna offense in one-sided victory over the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League hosted team.

The Semi-Final between the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Remparts and the Rockets opened with a violent fight between Quebec enforcer Yanick Turcotte and Kelowna right winger Rodney Southam 13 seconds into the opening period. A light advantage to Quebec forward.

Quebec opened the scoring 3:11 into opening period. Blocking a shot from Rockets defenseman Josh Morrissey, Adam Erme went on breakaway beating Kelowna goaltender Jackson Whistle between his pads.

Missing several great scoring chances Kelowna tied the game 1-1 with 10:09 remaining in the opening period. Rockets left winger Chance Braid score his first of the tournament. Braid one-timer shot left no chance to Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale who has been beaten on glove side at 9:51.

The Rockets thought they had taken the lead for first time in the game following a shot by Riley Stadel been redirect by Nick Merkley. Been near Kelowna netminder referee Jonathan Alarie wave-off the goal due to the fact the puck had been redirect higher than crossbar. The referee decision has been maintained following video review.

Showing a power play percentage of13.3 percent with two goals scored in thirteen chances Quebec got first power play opportunity following a penalty to Cole Martin. Showing an 81.1 percent efficiency allowing two goals in eleventh Kelowna successfully killed penalty being aggressive.

Kelowna got their first power play opportunity with 21 seconds remaining in the opening period following a penalty to right winger Jerome Verrier.

The Rockets began second period on stronger note scoring four goals, three in 3:49 last in 43 seconds.

Beginning the middle frame on power play (1:39) following the penalty taken by Quebec forward at the end of first period by Verrier, Kelowna takes the lead for first time in the game. A great pass from defenseman Josh Morrissey to center Gage Quinney led to Kelowna goal scores by Leon Draisaitl beating Fucale to his right side 17 seconds into middle frame.

Kelowna right winger Justin Kirkland scored next two Rockets goals in 43 seconds. The first one came as the team took advantage of their second power play opportunities following a penalty to Quebec captain Kurt Etchegary. Kirkland goal came at 3:23.

Kirkland second goal slowly slide to Quebec goalie left side 43 seconds later making Kelowna leading by three 4-1.

A penalty to Quebec forward Dmytro Timashov followed by consecutive penalties to Kelowna forward Nick Merkley and Quebec forward Jerone Verrier infuriated the crowd throwing debris on the ice.

A penalty shot allowed to Kelowna Dillon Dube following Quebec defenseman Ryan Graves hook on Rockets centerman. Dube miss his penalty shot.

Kelowna adds another goal before the second period ends. Defenseman Josh Morrissey long shot from the blue line beat Quebec netminder high on Fucale left side at 14:46.

Trailing by four to begin the third period Quebec opened the third scoring 21 seconds in with Anthony Duclair completing great pass from Adam Erne. With goal scored by Arizona Coyotes prospect soon in third fans in the stand want to believe their favorites had enough gas in the tank to come from behind and maybe earn their place in final.

But the WHL team replied with next two goals in 37 second killing all hope fans had left in their team. Rourke Chartier scores first of two goals in third period for Kelowna after Tyson Ballie made perfect pass 2:17 into third period.

Coming from behind the net following bad outing from Fucale Cole Linaker adds another goal a seventh one in the night for the Rockets.

Dmytro Timashov scored what became the last Quebec goal in 2014-15 as his team played on their seventh power plays in the game. Tomas Soustal was in the box for the Rockets. Timashov redirect a shot from teammate Guillaume Gauthier at 6:45.

Kelowna added two more goals one from Tyson Ballie on power play at 13:26 the other the ninth one was the second goal of the night and in third period by Chartier at 14:48.

For several Quebec players it was their last game in Quebec uniform leaving for the pro next year, one of them was Anthony Duclair, “We gave it all, we have a very good team but it wasn’t evident to play three-in-three,” said the one who had been selected in third round by Quebec in 2011 QMJHL.

“We fought really hard we never gave up.” Continued the Montreal native who also had been a third round selection by the New-York Rangers in 2013 (80^th overall).

“I pass four exceptional year here in Quebec, the fans here in Quebec treat me like first class from the beginning until the end I became a man I was a kid when I arrived here I grew-up and became an adult, it is very unbelievable what the Quebec town gave me and the Quebec Remparts organization.”

Another one for whom it was the end is Adam Erne. “We definitely gave it all I can say our all team did, three quarter of the team used training room it wasn’t an excused but we really battled we have had lots of players who played with injuries. We let it all on the line, I’m really proud of everyone.”

“We came here as 16 years old kid, we lived as 20 years old now you grow-up you became an adult you know it’s easier. Quebec fans are the best, we have had the two best coach I could ask for. The best trainer, the best staff, best fans best everything. It was an honor to play here for four years, it is tough now to say it is over.” Ended Erne as he tried not to cry.

For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher, he praised his players after some of them played with very bad injuries. “I’m proud of the guys, I’m proud of everyone who played for us this year,” began to say Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher.

“It wasn’t an easy year we gave all we had unfortunately tonight we did not have the result facing a team that played better than us. Sometimes we said almost everything sometimes to get our player going or to protect them even this morning I said that it still has gas in the tank but it didn’t have enough. It was any excuses, guys gave us all they can, they can be proud of what they did. I won’t judge a year on final result only. We really tried but three-in-three against the champion from the Western Hockey League it was too much.” Boucher said.

“You played so many games to get here and obviously your fatigue you are tired but you know at this point of year you can battle with no problem at all. All four teams were here for a reason, and there is two teams left, I’m extremely happy to be one of them.” The Edmonton Oilers first round selection third overall in2014 Leon Draisatl.

For Kelowna head coach Dan Lambert, he agreed to say his team play good game. “Yes it was a good game, for sure we did not have the kind of start we wanted, you can see the Remparts was tired, it never be easy to play three games in three nights especially against a team that are fresher that is what we saw tonight.”

“Sure it is really important to see that you are able to score goals on your power play but Oshawa get a very good penalty killing unit they are very aggressive it very different than playing Quebec. We will have to concentrate on that.”

Sunday night will be the Memorial Cup final between Kelowna Rockets and Oshawa Generals game begins at 19:00 pm Eastern day times.

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com