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Kelowna Rockets defeat Kamloops Blazers in preseason shootout
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Kamloops Blazers 3-2 in a preseason shootout to tie their two-game series. After a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime, the Rockets secured the win through successful penalty shots from Drew Larioza and Cole Braunshausen.
During regulation, Kelowna’s Dane Sorenson and Ryan Oothoudt scored. Rockets goaltender Josh Banini recorded 32 saves on 34 shots, including a critical glove save on Teagen Bouchard during overtime. The Blazers' Kaeden Tate faced the shootout after the team missed two of their three attempts.
The game also served as a test for a potential new Western Hockey League (WHL) overtime system described as “no return three-on-three.” Under this rule, teams in the offensive zone must remain there during play. Rockets head coach Derrick Martin expressed support for the innovation, noting it could lead to more odd-man rushes and faster gameplay.
Entities
Derrick Martin · Kamloops Blazers · Kelowna Rockets · Logan German · West Kelowna Warriors · Western Hockey League · Wyatt Head
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Kamloops Blazers defeated the Kelowna Rockets 2-1 in their first preseason game of the 2026-27 season.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Drew McDevitt scored for the Rockets with 37 seconds left in the game.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Brady Ondrus scored for the Blazers late in the first period with 11 seconds remaining.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kelowna Rockets goaltender Logan German made 36 saves on 37 shots.