Rockets beat up on Royals

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets beat up on the Victoria Royals Wednesday night at Prospera, as they easily cruised to a 5-1 victory.

The Kelowna Rockets beat up on the Victoria Royals Wednesday night to remain undefeated on home ice at Prospera Place.

The 5-1 victory extended the Rockets WHL-best record to 15-1-1-0, and the team now has a day off before continuing their three game home stand Friday night when the Spokane Chiefs roll into town.

Nick Merkley, Madison Bowey and Rourke Chartier all had a goal and two assists to lead the team, while Jackson Whistle earned his league-leading 13th win of the season.

The Rockets scored early and often against their BC division rivals, putting up three goals in the first period and two in the second while cruising to victory. But the game slowed in the third period as the gloves were dropped numerous times, resulting in 110 penalty minutes – including six game misconducts.

Justin Kirkland and Tyson Baillie also scored for the Rockets, who now boast the WHL points leader in Nick Merkley with 30 points, the goals leader in Chartier with 15 and the leading defenceman scorer in Bowey.

But it was Whistle, the Rockets netminder, who earned the games first star by stopping 28 shots for the victory.

The Rockets will look to keep things rolling against the Chiefs on Friday, followed by the Vancouver Giants who lumber into Kelowna on Saturday.