Sports

Kelowna Rockets seem to have the Kootenay Ice's number of late.

The Rockets beat the Ice for the third game in a row, beating Kootenay 5-3 Friday night at Prospera Place.

The win moves the Rockets to within 2 points of the 2nd place Ice in the BC Division. Rockets also have five games in hand.

The Rockets jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals from Justin Keller, a power-play marker midway through the opening period and an even strength goal early in the second.

The Ice battled back, thanks to their own power-play. Adam Cracknell and Dale Mahovsky scored with the man advantage to even the score at two.

Defenseman John Negrin tallied just his second goal of the season midway through the middle frame to give the Ice a 3-2 lead.

The Ice lead lasted just 42 seconds. Troy Bodie evened the score at 3 with an unassisted goal. Blake Comeau put the Rockets up for good just two minutes later.

Troy Ofukany put the game on ice with an insurance marker with just a minute left in regulation time.

Rockets outshot the Ice 42-27 on the night.

The game marked the beginning of a brutal part of their schedule, which sees the Rockets play eight games in 10 nights.

The Rockets hit the road for games in Tri-Cities Saturday and Seattle Sunday. They return home to host Prince George Tuesday and Spokane Wednesday.