WHL chooses Rockets netminder for weekly honour
James Porter of the Kelowna Rockets has been honoured as the Western Hockey League's goaltender of the week. Porter, a product of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, won both his starts during the week of Dec. 26-31, helping the Rockets take over the B.C. division lead. In addition to the two victories, Porter posted a 0.48 goals against average, .987 save percentage, and one shutout.
On Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers, Porter stopped 46 of 47 shots sent his way, adding four more saves in the shootout as the Rockets topped their regional rivals by a 2-1 score in the shootout. Porter had silenced the Blazers through the first 40 minutes, stopping all 29 shots, but gave up a late goal in the third period, finishing with 14 saves in the final period and stopping all three shots in overtime. For his efforts, Porter was named the game’s first star.
Two nights later in Kamloops, Porter silenced the Blazers for all 60 minutes, stopping the 28 shots sent his way to earn his second career WHL shutout. In addition to being named the game’s second star, Porter earned first star honours of the night across the WHL.
The rookie goaltender, selected by the Rockets in the seventh round, 153rd overall, in the 2015 WHL draft has impressed between the pipes this season for the division-leading Rockets, posting a 15-5-2-0 record with a 3.22 goals against average and 0.904 save percentage He’s also record two shutouts and stopped 114 of the last 115 shots sent his way.
The Rockets (23-11-2-1) will be home tonight against Tri-City Americans (2010-5-0), a team based in Kennewick, Wash., for a 7:05 p.m. start.
The Rockets are also home on Friday against Seattle (18-14-4-1) and Jan. 10 versus Spokane (20-15-1-2). The Rockets have won 11 straight at home, tops this season in the WHL for a winning streak at home.