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WHL  

Fast start fuels Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets did all the scoring they would need before many of the 4,766 at Prospera Place got comfortable in their seats.

The Rockets scored four times before the game was five minutes old, then held on for a 4-2 victory over the Tri-City Americans.

Jake Kryski with a wrist shot from the right circle 23 seconds in, and Riley Stadel with a deflection 22 seconds later put Kelowna up 2-0 on their first two shots.

Rookie Nolan Foote scored his second in as many game four minutes later when he converted a pretty three-way passing play with linemates Tomas Soustal and Kole Lind.

Just seconds after that, Calvin Thurkauf made it 4-0. Thurkauf led a two-on-one break, and instead of passing, wired a wrist shot from the left circle that beat Ams starter Rylan Parenteau to the far side.

That spelled the end for Parenteau who allowed four goals on just seven shots.

The five-minute outburst nearly matched the number of goals the Rockets have scored in the first period of their previous 11 games combined (6).

"It's nice to come out and get some early goals and build some confidence," said coach Jason Smith.

"I think we had some real good momentum off the start, then had some to capitalize on the power-play and we didn't get it in the net."

Tri-City gained some momentum after an early penalty kill, cutting the deficit in half before the end of the opening period.

But, the Rockets back end and the play of Tri-City back-up Beck Warm made sure neither team would hit the scoreboard again.

Warm was outstanding in relief of Parenteau, stopping all 33 shots fired his way, including an incredible stop off Nick Merkley that had everybody in the building shaking their head.

Michael Herringer stopped 18 shots, including a flurry of saves near the end of the second that preserved the two-goal lead.

Thurkauf, the game's number one star, has arguably been the Rocket's best forward through the first dozen games of the season.

He had three or four chances to build on his one-goal performance Friday.

"I've matured more over the last year. I got my confidence up with Charts (Rourke Chartier) and Merks (Nick Merkley) last year," said Thurkauf.

"Now playing with Merks really helps my confidence."

The Americans, who came in to the game with the league's top power-play, were not able to take advantage of the Rockets' penalty kill, 21st in the 22 team league.

Kelowna killed all five penalties they took on the night.

The Rockets have now won two in a row, improving their overall record to 5-7.

They hit the road for Seattle immediately after the game Friday. They'll tangle with the Thunderbirds Saturday night before returning home to host Victoria Wednesday.



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