Rockets hit road on a high

Photo: Castanet

The Kelowna Rockets have to be feeling good about themselves as they get set to embark on their longest road trip of the season, seven games.

The team won their second in a row, and sixth in their last eight Wednesday, a convincing 6-1 victory over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds.

If there was anything to detract from the win, it was the fact they were led by four players who may not play much hockey for the Rockets over the next month.

Calvin Thurkauf scored three times, Tomas Soustal had a goal and an assist, Nick Merkley had three assists and Dillon Dube chipped in with a pair of helpers.

All four are set to join their respective countries world junior selection camps.

Merkley and Dube leave Thursday morning while Thurkauf and Soustal depart Monday after playing the first two games of the road trip.

Merkley, and or Dube could be back mid next week if they are unable to crack Canada's world junior lineup.

Regardless, the Rockets will expect some players to step up in the absence of their top four offensive stars.

"Guys in the room are excited about the challenge. It will be an every game challenge, and guys are looking forward to stepping up and growing their game," said head coach Jason Smith.

"As a staff, we have to make adjustments to our game to make sure we're doing the right things."

On Wednesday, the Rockets got off to a fast start as they have the past number of home games.

Thurkauf got the Rockets off and running when he wheeled out of the corner, drover toward the net and banged home his 10th of the season. He doubled the lead 10 minutes later.

Nick Merkley did all the work behind the net, fending off Matt Barzal, before finding Thurkauf at the edge of the crease.

Soustal made it 3-0, deflecting home Devante Stephen's blast from the right point off a faceoff.

After the T-Birds got one back on a power-play, Jake Kryski need just 18 seconds to restore the three goal lead when his backhander from the slot seemed to catch Rylan Toth by surprise.

Rodney Southam put the Rockets up by four with a wrist shot from the right circle off a perfect drop pass from Merkley.

Thurkauf closed out the scoring when he beat backup Matt Berlin with a beautiful deke in close off another perfect feed from Merkley.

"We had a great team effort tonight," said Thurkauf.

"I was fortunate to score, but in hindsight, everybody came in and was clutch tonight. From Mike (Herringer), the D-corps to the forwards, everybody gave it their best tonight."

Thurkauf said the key is competing hard, and he thought the Rockets had a high compete level Wednesday.

The second year forward, who now has 12 goals on the season, said he is looking forward to the World Junior Championships.

"I might have more responsibility on the team, and this time try to make it to the quarter-finals. It's going to be exciting."

The Rockets leave Thursday for Tri-City where they open the seven game in 11 day road trip Friday. They play in Kootenay Saturday and Lethbridge Sunday.