The Âé¶čAV Rockets fired plenty of shots, but they couldn't find enough goals to take down the Tri-City Americans, falling 4-2 on Saturday night at Prospera Place.
Americans captain Jake Sloan stole the show, scoring all four of Tri-City's goals, including an empty-netter. Âé¶čAV outshot Tri-City 36-20, but struggled to capitalize on their chances.
Tri-City struck early, with Sloan netting his 19th of the season less than five minutes into the game. He doubled the lead later in the period with a power-play goal for a 2-0 lead.
Hiroki Gojsic got Âé¶čAV on the board in the second, burying a rebound to cut the deficit to one. Sloan completed his hat trick in the third period for a 3-1 Tri-City leadâ.
Kayden Longley gave the Rockets life with a goal midway through the final frame, cutting the Americanâs lead to 3-2. However, with goaltender Jake Pilon pulled for the extra attacker Sloan put the game away with an empty net goal and a 4-2 Tri City win.
Âé¶čAVâs power play came up empty, going 0-for-3, while Tri-City converted once on three chances.
âI didnât like our start,â said Rockets Interim Head Coach Derrick Martin. âOur details werenât very crisp, and we looked like we kind of limped into the hockey game, which really dictated the outcome.â
Martin said his squad is a good team when it gets going, but added they are still looking for a sixty-minute effort. âItâs at the point of the season where itâs big-boy hockey, and we have to find ways to get some wins.â
Âé¶čAV lost 3-2 to Prince George on Friday (Feb. 7) night. The Rockets havenât won since Jan. 18 when they beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-2.
Âé¶čAV travels to Washington to take on the Thunderbirds on Tuesday (Feb. 11). Theyâll then visit Kamloops on Feb. 14, before returning home to host the Blazers for back-to-back games on Feb. 15 and 17.
