Rockets double Chiefs
The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-2 on Friday night in Washington.
Spokane’s Zach Fischer (11) opened the scoring with 1:04 to go in the first period and the Chiefs held a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.
The Rockets scored three unanswered second-period goals. Carsen Twarynski (19) got Kelowna on the board 41 seconds into the middle frame. Nolan Foote (6) pulled the Rockets ahead by one at 6:08, and rookie Liam Kindree (5) gave Kelowna a two-goal cushion at 10:58. The Rockets led 3-1 after 40 minutes.
At 14:49 of the third period, Dillon Dube (16) continued the Rockets’ recent trend of shorthanded goals by scoring Kelowna’s fourth shorthanded marker in as many games — as well as Dube’s second in as many games — to put Kelowna up 4-1.
Luke Toporowski (2) drew Spokane to within two at 18:44, but the Rockets held on to collect their fourth straight win.
Kelowna got multi-point efforts from Dube (1G, 1A) and Twarynski (1G, 1A).
Rookie goaltender James Porter’s record improves to 12-4-2-0 after stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced. The Chiefs outshot the Rockets 33-25. The Rockets’ record improves to 16-8-4-1. Kelowna returns home for a meeting tonight with the Kootenay Ice, which will also be the fifth annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Puck-drop is 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place. Fans are encouraged to bring new teddy bears to the game and when the Rockets score their first goal of the night, let the bears rain down on the ice.
The Rockets donate the bears to patients of the Kelowna General Hospital over the holidays.
Last season, Rockets fans contributed to three full truck-loads of teddy bears that were all delivered to the KGH.
Tonight is the final home game before the Christmas break as the Rockets embark on a six-game Prairie road trip starting on Dec. 8 in Regina.
The Rockets play the following night in Brandon, Man., against the Wheat Kings before heading to Moose Jaw for a battle with the Warriors on Dec. 12. Kelowna also visits Swift Current on Dec. 13, Prince Albert on Dec. 15 and finishes the road trip in Saskatoon on Dec. 16.
The next home game following tonight will be Dec. 27 when the Rockets host the Kamloops Blazers at Prospera Place for a B.C. Division battle. The Blazers lost 3-1 at home to Everett on Friday night.