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WHL  

Rockets get to .500 mark

After starting the season 1-8, the Kelowna Rockets didn't look like a team that could claw its way back to the .500 mark.

But, 23 games and two coaching moves later, the Rockets find themselves at the break even mark.

They are 11-6-2-0 since Adam Foote took over the team.

They got there Tuesday, kicking off a four-game, pre-Christmas Central Division road trip with a 3-1 victory over the Kootenay Ice.

It was likely the Rockets last trip to Cranbrook, as the Ice are rumoured to be heading to Winnipeg for the start of next season.

Special teams were the difference for the Rockets, as they scored all three goals with the man advantage.

Leif Mattson scored two, while Kyle Topping added the other.

Mattson tipped home Kaeden Korczak's point shot five minutes into the game on Kelowna's second power play of the period.

Six minutes later, Topping pounced on a rebound for his 13th, and what proved to be the game winner.

The Ice got one back early in the second, but, just a minute later, Mattson restored the two-goal lead with his 14th of the season on a wraparound.

James Porter turned away 29 shots to earn the victory.

The Rockets, winners of three in a row, continue their road trip Wednesday in Lethbridge. They close out the trip in Calgary Friday and Medicine Hat Saturday.



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