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WHL  

Rockets take it on the chin

The Kelowna Rockets weren't ready to play.

That was the short assessment of head coach Brad Ralph after he watched his team fall 6-3 to the visiting Spokane Chiefs before just 4,600 fans at Prospera Place.

The final score flattered the Rockets who found themselves down 6-0 after 40 minutes to a team well below them in the standings.

The Chiefs weren't dominant but they were better than the Rockets in every aspect of the game over the first 40 minutes. And, everything they threw on net seemed to go in.

"Obviously we weren't ready. We didn't work hard," said a frustrated Ralph.

"When you're not ready you're not working and bounces are going to go against you."

When asked what the team does with a game like this, the answer was short and to the point.

"Improve. Learn. Be better."

Two goals from the stick of Keanu Yamamoto punctuated the night for the Rockets.

With under a minute to go in the first Yamamoto stepped over centre and sent a wrist shot toward Michael Herringer in the Rockets net.

It may have deflected off Gordie Ballhorn but it seemed to handcuff Herringer who waved his blocked at the puck as it sailed into the top corner.

Yamamoto made it 4-0 in the second when a wrist shot from outside the blueline again snuck past Herringer who awkwardly seemed to throw both his blocker and glove toward the shot.

The goal spelled the end of the night for Herringer who, prior to this game, had played every minute since the beginning of the new year as starter Jackson Whistle attempted to rest an injured hip.

Enter Broden Salmond for his first taste of Western Hokey League action.

Salmond was brought up from Camrose in the Alberta Junior League to backup Herringer. He had just one practice under his belt before being sent in.

"You are never expecting that's the way it's going to start but I prepare every game like I'm going to start," said Salmond.

"I felt confident going in. I got  few touches early on so I felt pretty confident."

Salmond made a quick glove save shortly after coming in, much to the delight of the crowd. He gave up just two goals on 12 shots, both power-play goals shortly after coming into the game.

Trailing 6-0, the Rockets finally showed some life in the third period getting early goals from Calvin Thurkauf and Lucas Johansen to give the crowd some hope.

Kelowna had chances to pull closer moments later, the bet from Cole Linaker who was all alone in front of Lasse Petersen but fired a shot straight at the Chiefs netminder.

The Rockets final goal came off the stick of rookie Jonathan Smart who finally picked up his first Western Hockey League goal.

Smart intercepted an attempted clearing pass along the boards, moved towards the net and fired a slapshot from the top of the left circle beating Petersen to the far side.

"It was kind of a blur to be honest,": said Smart of his first career goal.

"Just trying to get pucks on the net...obviously we needed goals. It was nice it got through and definitely a good feeling."

He said he would gladly trade the goal for a win.

The loss could have come at quite a cost as forward Nick Merkley left the ice favouring his right leg.

Merkley went to hit Spokane defenceman Tyson Helgesen along the board but only got a piece of him. He fell toward the boards, got tangled up with another Spokane player and fell awkwardly.

Ralph didn't have an update as to his condition.

He also would talk about a jawing match he had with Spokane coach Don Nachbaur after the final whistle, preferring to keep the incident to himself.

The Rockets won't have much time to dwell on the loss as they get right back at it Saturday when the Calgary Hitmen come to town.

With the loss and a Lethbridge win, the Hurricanes again leapfrog the Rockets into top spot in the overall WHL standings.



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