Rockets end successful trip

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets are finally on their way home after a six game road odyssey that began in Kamloops 10 days ago and ended Tuesday night in Medicine Hat.

In between, the Rockets won four of six, capping it off with a 6-5 win over the Tigers Tuesday.

Calvin Thurkauf led a balanced Rockets attack which saw six different players hit the scoresheet.

Thurkauf, the game's first star, had a goal and an assist, giving him three goals and three assists on the season. All six points came during the four game Alberta swing.

Rourke Chartier, Justin Kirkland, Tanner Wishnowski, Tomas Soustal and Nick Merkley with the game winner, also scored for the Rockets.

Cole Linaker had a pair of assists.

Jackson Whistle stopped 33 shots to earn his fourth win of the season and second since returning from injury Sunday.

The tight game was tied 2-2 after one and 3-3 after two. It was 4-4 until late in the game when the Rockets blew the game open.

Thurkauf, and Merkley scored 68 seconds apart to give the Rockets their first two goal lead of the game.

Cole Sanford got one of those back with less than three minutes left in regulation time but Whistle held the fort from there allowing the Rockets to skate away with the victory.

Kelowna finished the four-game Alberta trip 3-1 and, overall, come home 4-2 from their six game sojourn.

The Rockets play just their second game on home ice Friday when they entertain the Victoria Royals. Victoria entered the week 4-0 before dropping their first of the season 3-1 to Spokane.

They will host Spokane again Wednesday before venturing to Kelowna for their first road game of the season after six straight on home ice.

For the Rockets, six of their next eight are on home ice.