Sports

Kelowna Rockets were rewarded for their hard work Saturday night.

The Rockets picked up where they left off in game one Friday.

The difference---The Rockets also won the battle on the scoresheet in a dominating 5-1 victory over the Kootenay Ice, evening their best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final series at a game apiece.

The Rockets peppered 53 shots at beleaguered Ice goaltender Taylor Dakers, who at times, could have sued for non-support.

While enjoying a two man advantage midway through the second period, Dakers was forced to make saves off Blake Comeau and Tyler Spurgeon in close, before Justin Keller batted home the third rebound, giving the Rockets a 4-1 lead.

The Rockets finally got the power-play going, scoring on two of nine opportunities. They had 27 shots on the power-play. The Ice were 0-6 with the man advantage.

The Rockets had work paid off with a few fortunate bounces.

Lauris Darzins opened the scoring with his second of the series, when a weak backhand from just inside the blueline bounced in front of the Kootenay net, alluding Dakers on the glove side.

Kurt Hill made it 2-1 when he tapped home a point shot from Kevin Reinholt that trickled agonizingly slow between Dakers pads.

Comeau on a power-play late in the first and Brent Howarth with a great individual effort short handed in the final period also scored for the Rockets.

Defenseman Dalyn Flatt scored for the Ice on a low slap shot from the left point past a screened Derek Yeomans. The goal tied the score at one, just 13 seconds after the Rockets had opened the scoring.

After the game, Truitt said he was pleased with the play of his entire team, especially Comeau, who answered the bell after taking penalties which cost his team two goals in the opening game.

The Rockets outshot the Ice 53-27---over the two games, the margin is 95-45.

The Rockets will need to play the same way when the series resumes with games three and four in Cranbrook Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Game five in the series will be played at Prospera Place next Friday night.

In the other BC Division series Saturday, Prince George shutout Vancouver 2-0, evening that best-of-seven at a game apiece, with games three and four moving to Prince George.

Link: Link to scores