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WHL  

Rockets crown Royals

Jackson Whistle stopped 34 shots and the Kelowna Rockets withstood a furious onslaught in the third period to hold on for a 3-1 victory over the Royals in Victoria.

It's the first of back-to-back games between the BC Division rivals.

Kelowna built up a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes on goals from Calvin Thurkauf on a power-play in the first and Tyson Baillie even strength in the second.

Alex Forsberg got one back 6:40 into the third as the Royals threw everything they had at the Rockets but were unable to beat Whistle for the equalizer.

Justin Kirkland sealed the win with a power-play goal with just 20 seconds left in regulation time as the Royals were unable to get Coleman Vollrath to the bench for an extra attacker.

Kirkland and Baillie both picked up assists to go with their goals.

The difference in the game was special teams as the Rockets managed a pair of goals on four opportunities with the man advantage while holding Victoria without a goal on six opportunities.

The win was the Rockets fifth in a row and 10th in 11 games.

They widened their lead to five points over the second place Royals while maintaining a three point bulge on Red Deer atop the overall WHL standings.

The Rockets and Royals conclude their two game set Saturday in the provincial capital.

Kelowna returns home following the game to host the Kootenay Ice Wednesday at Prospera Place. They will entertain Medicine Hat Friday and Portland Saturday before heading back out onto the road for a six game trip through the Eastern Division.



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