Sports

Dylan Willick scored twice including the game winner Saturday as the Kamloops Blazers completed a weekend sweep of the Kelowna Rockets with a 3-2 victory.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Brandon Herrod (#22) battles four Rockets including netminder Adam Brown for a loose puck during the second period of the Blazers 3-2 win over Kelowna.

Kamloops came back from a 4-1 deficit to beat the Rockets 5-4 in overtime Friday up in Kamloops.

On Saturday, it was the Rockets turn to battle back from an early deficit but they were unable to get the go-ahead goal against the number one team in the Western Hockey League.

The Blazers built a 2-0 lead on late first period power-play goals from Bronson Maschmeyer and Willick.

The Rockets battled back and got power-play goals of their own from Myles Bell on a wrist shot from the point in the second and Carter Rigby in the third.

Rigby one-timed a rebound off the back wall and put the puck high over Cole Cheveldave just inside the near post. It was his 16th of the season.

Despite the loss, Rockets head coach Ryan Huska was happy with the effort.

With the exception of a couple of soft plays on our penalty kill early on -- we had some tough clears and they capitalized -- I liked the way we played tonight," says Huska.

"I can't fault the guys for their effort tonight."

Huska says the effort was what the team needs to put forth, especially on home ice, to be successful.

"It was significantly different the way we played tonight than what we saw against Seattle here at home," says Huska.

"That's what we want the players to understand. Sometimes you're not going to get the result you want but it you compete, you work and you put forth the effort most nights you are going to be rewarded."

Shane McColgan, the game's second star, assisted on both Rocket goals.

McColgan says it was an unfortunate bounce that led to the Blazers winning goal.

"It was an easy five foot pass from one of our D-Men to, I think (Colton) Heffley that just got bobbled in his skates and they come back and capitalize on our turnover," says McColgan.

"We just have to eliminate that from our game and build off it."

McColgan says the team has to find a way to build on Saturday's effort before a tough stretch of four games in five nights next week.

The Rockets had a few chances to equalize the game but were unable to get the puck past Cheveldave who turned aside 35 shots a night after being yanked after allowing four goals on eight shots in the first period Friday.

Both teams fired 37 shots on the opposing netminder.

The Rockets ended up the night 2-5 on the power-play while the Blazers were 2-6 with the man advantage.

The Rockets get Sunday off before travelling to Seattle for a game Tuesday. They then host Seattle Wednesday, Calgary Friday and Red Deer Saturday.