Rockets streak ends at 10

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Jackson Whistle and the Kelowna Rockets suffered their first loss of the season Saturday, a 5-2 setback in Tri-City.

The Kelowna Rockets knew their winning streak would eventually come to an end.

Eventually was Saturday night in Tri-City.

The Ams scored three unanswered goals in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and skate away with a 5-2 victory.

The Rockets, who extended their franchise record start to 10-0-0-0 the night before in Spokane, opened the scoring Saturday when Tyrell Goulbourne netted his second of the season nine minutes into the opening period.

The game would stay that way until the early stages of the second when Tri-City got goals from Parker Bowles on a power-play just 54 seconds in and Lucas Nickles 1:14 later.

Czech rookie Tomas Soustal tied it with his first Western Hockey League goal less than a minute and a half later but that was the last time the Rockets were able to beat Americans netminder Eric Comrie.

Beau McCue scored what proved to be the game winner just 38 seconds into the third.

Jackson Whistle turned aside 27 shots while suffering his first defeat of the season after opening the year with eight straight wins.

The Rockets league leading power-play went 0-3 Saturday while Tri-City scored on one of its two opportunities.

The Rockets will get a chance to even the score Wednesday when the two teams meet back at Prospera Place as Kelowna opens up a brief two game homestand.

They will host Brandon Saturday before going back out onto the road for two games in Portland and a tilt in Vancouver.