Rockets find winning way

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Rockets

Nick Merkley saw his first action of the WHL season in the Rockets 5-3 win in Edmonton.

Cole Linaker snapped a 3-3 tie with just 91 seconds left in regulation time, leading the Kelowna Rockets to a come-from-behind 5-3 win Friday in Edmonton.

Linaker grabbed a rebound and slid home a backhand while falling down on the power-play for what turned out to be the game winner. He would also find the empty net with four seconds left to seal the victory.

The win opened a four game Alberta road trip, a trip which will see the Rockets play four games in five nights.

After a scoreless first period, Rourke Chartier opened the scoring early in the second on another Rockets' power-ply.

The Oil Kings took over from there, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead late into the middle frame.

Swiss rookie Calvin Thurkauf sparked the comeback with a great individual effort with less than two minutes to go in the second. He won a battle for the puck on the end boards, kicked the puck to his stick, skated out from behind the net and found the top corner behind Patrick Dea.

It was Thurkauf's first Western Hockey League goal.

Kole Lind tied the game at 3-3 early in the third with his first WHL goal.

The game stayed that way until Linaker's heroics late in the game.

Tomas Soustal and Justin Kirkland each chipped in with a pair of assists.

Michael Herringer, playing in place of injured Jackson Whistle, made 35 saves to collect his first win of the young season.

The Rockets went 2-7 with the man advantage while Edmonton finished up 2-4. The Oil Kings also scored once while shorthanded.

Kelowna now moves on to face the undefeated Red Deer Rebels Saturday before facing Lethbridge Sunday. The trip wraps up in Medicine Hat Tuesday.