The Kelowna Rockets opened their 2022-23 regular season with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.

Falling behind twice, Kelowna pushed back to take a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. The Rockets created a two-goal cushion early in the third, but Portland pushed back. Kelowna once again restored the two-goal lead just before the middle of the third frame, but Portland responded with two straight goals to force overtime, where they eventually won the game.

 Andrew Cristall (1) ripped a backhanded shot past Giannuzzi before the end of the second period. Later, Cristall (2) pushed the Rockets out to a two-goal lead while on the power play 54 seconds into the third period. 

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