Rockets go up 3-0 in series

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Tomas Soustal scored his first career WHL playoff goal leading the Rockets past Tri-City 5-3 Tuesday.

The Kelowna Rockets are one win away from advancing to the next round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The Rockets scored twice on the power-play Tuesday in a 5-3 win over the Tri City Americans at the Toyota Centre in Kennewick, WA.

The Rockets lead the series 3-0 and can wrap it up in Kennewick Wednesday.

Riley Stadel, Tomas Soustal, Cole Linaker, Tyson Baillie and Chance Braid all scored for the Rockets.

Jackson Whistle finally allowed a goal after pitching shutouts in the opening two games of the series back at Prospera Place.

Whistle's shutout streak ended at 14:14 of the second period when Beau McCue tipped home a point shot during one of Tri-City's nine power-play chances.

The 19-year-old Kelowna native's shutout streak lasted 154 minutes and 14 seconds; just 54 seconds shy of Kelly Guard's club playoff record of 155:08 set back in 2003.

Kelowna led 1-0 after one and 3-1 after 40 minutes, however, the Americans wouldn't go away quietly, cutting the deficit to 3-2 early in the third before Baillie restored the two goal lead with the game winner midway through the third on the power-play.

Despite the win assistant coach Travis Crickard said on the post game radio show the team can be better.

"Too many turnovers, too many shades of how we played late in the regular season. There were flashes of the way we played in game one of the series but we want to see that more consistently," said Crickard.

"We just need to shoot the puck more. We can't play pretty like the way we did in the second period of game two and for a couple of periods here tonight. It's definitely a positive that we won tonight...but we can be better for sure."

One area he said the team must improve on is untimely and undisciplined penalties.

"Totally unnecessary. I think that's 17 power-plays in three games for them," said Crickard.

"It's nothing against them but if we play a team that has a strong power-play that's going to hurt us a lot. I know we've been preaching it to the boys...we just have to be better. It's unacceptable."

Dillon Dube and Lucas Johansen each had a pair of assists as well for the Rockets.

Defenceman Devante Stephens who left Saturday's game with what looked to be a nasty right leg injury after colliding with Maxwell James was back in the line-up Tuesday.

Mitchell Wheaton who missed all but four games due to injury also returned.

Wheaton replaced Tyrell Goulbourne who was injured in game two.

If a fifth game in the series is needed, it would be played Friday back at Prospera Place.