Whistle backstops Rockets win

(Penalty shot video)

Any concern among Kelowna Rocket fans that Jackson Whistle wasn't up to the challenge of being a number one goaltender in the Western Hockey League were emphatically put to rest Saturday.

Whistle made half a dozen spectacular saves while Nick Merkley had a goal and three assists in a 6-1 win over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.

The 19-year-old Kelowna native was particularly sharp during the first 30 minutes when the Rockets spent much of the time on their heels watching the talented Wheat Kings move the puck, seemingly at will.

"I definitely felt good tonight," says Whistle.

"I know they came out pretty hot to start but I think we started to take the game over as it went on."

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Rourke Chartier goes roof with what proves to be the game winner during Saturday's WHL game at Prospera Place

Whistle was forced to get into the game early when Riley Stadel impeded Brandon forward Jesse Gabrielle on a clear breakaway 58 seconds into the game.

The Rockets netminder made a blocker save then followed that up with sensational stops off Nolan Patrick twice before saving his best for a cross-crease dive to get his glove on Rihards Burkarts' shot from the edge of the crease with the wide open net facing him.

"I was just trying to get over there as fast as I can because I know they are going to be shooting pucks from everywhere."

The Wheat Kings, the number one team in the east and the top offensive team in the league, did manage to open the scoring.

After a scoreless first period, Quintin Lisoway beat Whistle high to the far side from about 10 feet out at the back end of a pretty three way passing play 7:39 into the second.

The Rockets finally got on the board three minutes later when Madison Bowey scored the first of his two on the night with a rocket of a shot from the point that Brandon goaltender Jordan Papirny still hasn't seen.

"I saw the guys all on the far post and I had an angle so I thought short side is where I had to go. Great screen by Tyrell (Goulbourne) and it went in," says Bowey.

The Rockets started to take the game over from there.

Rourke Chartier scored what proved to be the game winner with two minutes left in the second when he roofed a shot from the edge of the crease after taking a smart cross-crease feed from Merkley.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Rockets Tyson Baillie takes a high hit behind the net from Brandon's John Quenneville

Merkley put the dagger in the Wheaties in the opening minute of the third.

While shorthanded, Merkley sped down the right wing, cut toward the net while fending off Kale Clague, and tapped him his fourth of the season.

Bowey with another Rockets from the top of the left circle on a five-on-three advantage, Austin Glover shorthanded and Cole Martin with another power-play marker in the final minute closed out the scoring.

"There's no doubt Jackson was by far our best player tonight, especially in the first two periods when they outchanced us," says Rockets head coach, Dan Lambert.

"I thought we came out ok in the first seven minutes then a couple of penalties gave them momentum and they kept it for a long time. Then we stood around a little bit but certainly Jackson was the reason we got two points tonight."

Lambert agreed the team picked up its play after Bowey scored the game tying goal.

"The energy wasn't what it has been on the bench. I think maybe we were a little overwhelmed and sometimes that happens.

Maybe it's the way everybody built up this game a little bit, including the coaching staff. We knew we were playing one of the better teams and certainly we didn't have our best effort."

The Rockets special teams were the difference offensively. Kelowna clicked on three of six chances with the man advantage while scoring two more against the Wheat Kings power-play which went 0-4 on the night.

Kelowna remained unbeaten on home ice while stretching its overall record to 12-1-0-0.

The Rockets get a few days to prepare for another busy weekend on the road.

With Skate Canada coming into Prospera Place next weekend, the Rockets will hit the road for games in Portland Thursday and Saturday and Vancouver Sunday.

They return home to host the Victoria Royals Wednesday, Nov 5 to kick off a three game home stand.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle sprawls and throws out his pad to deny Brandon's leading scorer Rihards Bukarts on a breakaway during the first period of the Rockets 6-1 win.