Friday night was a tough one for the Kelowna Rockets, as after a strong 40 minutes to start the game, they couldn't handle the Kamloops Blazers in the third, eventually falling 4-3 in overtime. 

Looking to get back into the win column, one of the newest Rockets had his impact on the Jan. 24 game as Hayden Paupanekis opened the scoring at the 12:27 mark of the first period. Forward Jakub Stancl assisted the goal.

Kelowna doubled its lead in the second frame when Hiroki Gojsic found the back of the net for the 12th time this season. Nate Corbet collected an assist on the goal as the Rockets took the 2-0 lead into the third.

In the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Rockets were bending but eventually broke at the 14:38 mark, which led to the Blazers scoring three goals in 33 seconds to take a 3-2 lead.

Emmitt Finnie started by scoring his 25th goal of the season at the 14:38 mark, followed by Tommy Lafreniere's 18th of the campaign at 14:47 and then Matteo Koci's third of the year at 15:11.

However, the Rockets didn't go down without a fight as with under two minutes to go, Paupanekis scored his second goal of the game and 15th of the season to tie the game and force overtime. Dawson Gerwing and Michael Cicek added the helpers on the goal.

The game went to overtime where Kelowna didn't even get a shot on goal and just 3:28 in, Finnie scored his second goal of the game to give Kamloops the 4-3 win.

Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon was peppered with shots as he made 37 saves in the loss.

The Rockets are now 16-21-4-1 this season, ninth in the Western Conference.

Kelowna will be back on home ice on Saturday night as it welcomes the Vancouver Giants to Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m.