Rockets take battle of titans #1

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Rockets Nick Merkley and Rourke Chartier chase Everett defenceman Tristen Pfeifer during the first period of Kelowna's 5-3 win Friday.

It was a heavyweight tilt befitting the heavyweights atop the Western Hockey League's Western Conference.

The BC Division leading Kelowna Rockets outlasted the US Division leading Everett Silvertips 5-3 before nearly 5,500 fans at Prospera Place Friday.

It was the first of back-to-back games between the Western Conference powerhouses. They'll face off again Saturday night when the Rockets close out their five game homestand.

Tyson Baillie scored twice, both in the third period to pace the Rockets attack.

Photo: Contributed - Castanet

Rockets Leon Draisaitl stands watch as the puck slides into the Everett net.

Tyrell Goulbourne, Rourke Chartier and Cole Linaker into an empty net also scored for the Rockets. Leon Draisaitl had three assists while Josh Morrissey added a pair of helpers.

"It was a fast paced game...two good teams going at it," said Baillie after the game.

"I thought they came out hard and we matched their energy level and finished it off in the third. Overall, a good game."

Special teams were key for the Rockets who went two for two with the man advantage while giving up just a late power-play goal on four Everett opportunities.

"The power-play was critical," added Baillie. "These games are going to be tight so power-plays and penalty kills need to step up."

Goulbourne opened the scoring midway through the first. Riley Stael's shot was stopped but Goulbourne was on the doorstep to sweep home the rebound.

After Ben Betker tied it Rourke Chartier put the Rockets ahead for good converting a perfect pass from Nick Merkley on a Kelowna power-play.

The teams exchanged goals throughout the third until Linaker found a loose puck in a snarl of skates along the board near centre ice and somehow found the empty net to finally out the Silvertips away.

Despite allowing three goals Jackson Whistle was solid, especially during the latter stages of the third when he made a pair of spectacular pad saves off Nikita Scherbak and Remi Laurencelle.

"I thought we did a lot of good things," said Rockets head coach Dan Lambert.

"I liked our penalty kill and shot blocking...I liked our battle level and commitment to defence."

Lambert said Friday's game was a character test and if they want success the Rockets will have to meet up with Everett sometime down the road.

He added the Rockets need to come out Saturday with the same desperation and the same commitment in the defensive end.

Following Saturday's rematch the Rockets hit the road for their final extended road trip of the season.

Kelowna will travel through the Central Division with stops in Red Deer (Tuesday), Edmonton (Wednesday), Lethbridge (Friday) and Kootenay (Saturday).