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Rockets win in dramatic fashion, 4-3 over Victoria in WHL Playoffs

Kelowna scores with 10 seconds remaining in the game to earn the win and tie their series 2-2
Victoria Royals v Kelowna Rockets
Cole Linaker celebrates the game winning goal in the Rockets 4-3 win over Victoria

The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Victoria Royals 4-3 on Thursday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, tying their WHL Playoffs series at two games apiece.

Cole Linaker scored the game winning goal with just 10.7 seconds remaining in the 3rd period, snapping a 3-3 tie as he tipped in a Justin Kirkland pass from the point.

The win ties the series 2-2 with game five Friday night in Victoria.

The game was tied 1-1 after the first period, 2-2 after the second and 3-3 in the third period as the Rockets held leads of 2-1 and 3-2 only to see Victoria battle back

Joe Gatenby, Tomas Soustal and Justin Kirkland scored for the Rockets earlier in the game. Linaker's game winning goal came on a power play and sent 5,361 fans into a frenzy in Kelowna.

Michael Herringer earned the win in net as the Royals outshot the Rockets 35-31 in the game.

The series now shifts back to Victoria for game five in the series on Friday night as the teams will both travel overnight back to Vancouver before getting to Victoria tomorrow.

Game six is Sunday at Prospera Place in Kelowna in a 5:05 p.m. start.

Tickets are available for the game through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.