Rockets return to their winning ways

The Kelowna Rockets returned to the win column Friday night as they snapped a two game road losing streak.

The Rockets defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 5-1 on Friday night in Lethbridge, improving to 1-1 on their current six game road trip.

Five different scorers hit the scoresheet and Jackson Whistle made 33 saves to earn the win for the Rockets, who moved to 34-5-0-2 on the season.

With the game 1-1 late in the second period, Myles Bell and Ryan Olsen scored goals in the span of 1:05 to give the Rockets a 3-1 leading after two periods of play.

Rockets 16-year-old rookie Nick Merkley had a goal and an assist and was named the game's first star.

"I think we battled hard tonight it was good for the boys to get the win," said Merkley on the Shaw TV post game show "It was fast. I think both teams played hard."

Jesse Lees and Damon Severson added third period markers to put the game away for Kelowna.

The Rockets now head for Medicine Hat to meet the Tigers on Saturday and Calgary on Sunday.

The Rockets were playing with heavy hears Friday after head coach Ryan Huska's father Peter passed away earlier in the day.

Ryan Huska left the team and was with his father Thursday night.