Rockets earn split with pesky Royals

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Myles Bell scored twice leading the Kelowna Rockets past Victoria 5-3 Saturday

Myles Bell scored twice and Marek Tvrdon scored his first goal in a Kelowna uniform leading the Rockets to a 5-3 victory in the BC capital Saturday.

The win allowed the Rockets to earn a split of their two game set in Victoria and head home with eight of a possible 12 points on a six game road trip.

The Royals got on the board first when Ben Walker opened the scoring just 1:50 into Saturday's contest.

Bell notched his 26th of the season 10 minutes later to tie the game 1-1 then put the Rockets up for good three minutes later with his team leading 27th.

Mitchell Wheaton late in the first and Rourke Chartier early in the second extended the Rockets lead to three.

The Royals fought back with back-to-back goals before Tvrdon shut the door with an insurance marker midway through the third.

The goal was Tvrdon's first in a Rocket uniform in just his second game after being acquired from the Vancouver Giants more than a week ago.

Jordon Cooke turned aside 27 shots for his league leading 27th win of the year.

The Rockets, 37-6-0-2 are 13 points up on second place Portland in the Western Conference and 14 up on Victoria in the BC Division.

Kelowna now return home for a three game homestand beginning Wednesday against Everett.

They will host Medicine Hat Friday and Lethbridge Saturday before travelling to Seattle for a game with the T-Birds Sunday.

The Rockets, who have played just once on home ice since Dec 7, play nine of their next 11 at Prospera Place.