Houck’s hat trick launches Giants past Rockets
One day after being ranked No. 1 by the Canadian Hockey League, the Kelowna Rockets were brought back to Earth with a thud by the surging Vancouver Giants.
The Rockets, landing Friday at the Pacific Coliseum with an impressive 32 wins in 37 Western Hockey League outings, were blasted 4- 2 as North Vancouver winger Jackson Houck made it rain hats, scoring three times to ignite the Giants, who have now won three straight since losing 4- 2 at home to the Rockets on Dec. 28.
The rare loss snapped Kelowna’s 16- game winning streak and 16- game road winning streak, as the Giants entertained a loud crowd of 5,672 from go to whoa on this night.
The G- Men, who also got a goal from Anthony Ast, improved to 20- 14- 5- 2 with the win.
The B. C. Division rivals square off again tonight in Kelowna and then Vancouver hosts the Tri- City Americans on Sunday ( 5 p. m., Team 1410) to complete a demanding weekend.
Ryan Olsen and Justin Kirkland scored for the Rockets, who were tied 1- 1 after one period, but trailed 4- 2 heading into the final frame.
Former Giants netminder Jackson Whistle was in goal for Kelowna, while Jared Rath took care of the netminding duties for Vancouver.
POKE CHECKS: Houck and Ast had Vancouver’s goals in the Dec. 28 setback to Kelowna ... Houck, an 18- year- old, was taken 94th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the June draft ... Kelowna pounded Portland 7- 2 on Thursday night then had to make the trek to Vancouver for last night’s tilt ... Elsewhere in the WHL on Friday, the Victoria Royals lost 5- 3 in Spokane, Kootenay Ice beat Swift Current 3- 1 in Cranbrook and the Prince George Cougars clobbered the visiting Kamloops Blazers 9- 5.