Rockets roll through Kootenay Ice 7-3
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Kootenay Ice 7-3 on Saturday night in Cranbrook.
Calvin Thurkauf continued his scoring tear depositing two pucks past Ice netminder Payton Lee in the opening 20 minutes. The Rockets also got a shorthanded goal in the first period courtesy of team captain Rodney Southam. The Rockets led 3-0 going into the second period.
The Ice scored early in the second for their teddy bear toss goal to draw within two. After the bears were cleaned up and play resumed Leif Mattson scored his second of the year on a nice backhand in tight. The Ice responded quickly to bring the score within two again but it was short lived as Kole Lind scored his 17th of the season to pull Kelowna up 5-2 heading into the final frame.
Early in the third period Jake Kryski tipped home a Devante Stephens point shot to pull the Rockets ahead by four. Kryski scored another later in the period for his fourth point of the night (2G, 2A). Kootenay scored one more in the third but it didn’t matter as the Rockets powered through the Ice by a final score of 7-3.
Rockets net minder Brodan Salmond improved to 4-3-0-0 on the season making that four wins in his last four starts. He stopped 15 of 18 shots he faced.
The Rockets improve to 19-11-1-0 on the season.
The Ice fall to 6-19-7-1 on the year.
The Rockets are back in action again to complete their trifecta of games in as many nights tomorrow night in Lethbridge when they face the Hurricanes.
Kelowna’s next home game is December 27th when they host rival club the Kamloops Blazers for their first game back from the Christmas Break.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
