Rockets bump mini slump

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Michael Herringer makes one of his 30 saves as the Rockets edged Lethbridge 2-1 Tuesday at Prospera Place.

Michael Herringer and Tomas Soustal did most of the heavy lifting for the Kelowna Rockets in a 2-1 win over the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes Tuesday.

Herringer, who was surprised by his first-star honours, stopped 30 of 31 shots directed his way, saving the best for the back half of the final period.

Soustal scored both Rockets goals including the game winner with a spectacular move on Lethbridge netminder Stuart Skinner.

The goals were the first for Soustal since Nov. 25, a span of 15 games.

"I went to World Juniors and they had bigger ice...I kind of struggled when I came back," said Soustal of his scoring drought.

"I'm very happy that I scored a couple. Hopefully I'll keep going."

Soustal's 11th of the season opened the scoring 7:40 into the game. He broke down the left wing on a two-on-one with Rodney Southam.

Soustal used Southam as a decoy and wired a wrist shot past Skinner from the top of the circle.

His second gave the Rockets a 2-0 lead just three minutes into the final period. Jonathan Smart sprung Soustal at the Lethbridge blueline.

He faked a shot, then deked Skinner to the forehand, opening the goalies pads enough to slide the puck five-hole.

The Rockets had chances to increase the lead, however, Tyson Baillie and Kole Lind were both foiled on breakaways.

As it turned out, Herringer didn't need any more offence.

Jordy Bellerive cut the deficit in half when his backhand from a sharp angle with Lucas Johansen draped all over him slid past Herringer, off the far post and in.

Herringer was spectacular the rest of the way. He denied Colton Kroeker in tight and, with the seconds ticking away, somehow got his glove on a deflection from in tight.

But, he saved his best for Bellerive.

The Hurricanes' rookie found himself all alone in front. He pulled the puck to his backhand but somehow Herringer stretched out to get his glove on the shot.

"It was a similar play to what happened against Victoria a couple of days ago," said Herringer.

"I just wanted to stay with the shooter. I didn't want to slide too far. Coming from that side he's probably going to go to his backhand."

Herringer has carried all the load for the Rockets since the start of the new year. Tuesday was his 13th straight start, and like the rest of his teammates, his fourth game in five days.

"My body feels fine. The guys didn't give me a lot of work tonight.

"They blocked a lot of shots. They were in the shooting lanes. They made my four games in five nights really easy."

"He was great. He gives a chance to win and that's all you can ask," said head coach Brad Ralph on the play of his goaltender.

"He made some big saves down the stretch. He was good."

With Jackson Whistle's return in doubt the net is Herringer's for the foreseeable future.

Ralph said Herringer has elevated his play in recent days.

"I think mentally he's accepted the challenge of being the starting goaltender. His play in definitely elevated. It's a real good sign for us."

As for Herringer, he said he doesn't feel any additional pressure.

"Like I've said a million times, my job is to stop pucks one day at a time. That's what I'm going to try to do.

"Jackson is a really good goalie and if he comes back it's good for the team. If he doesn't, again, my job is to play day to day and do the best I can."

Tuesday's win snapped the Rockets mini two-game losing streak and propelled them back into top spot in the overall Western Hockey League standings, a point up on Lethbridge.

The Rockets now wait, what I'm sure seems like an eternity until they play again.

When they do hit the ice again Friday it will be the start of another tough stretch of four games in five nights.

The Rockets host Spokane Friday, Calgary Saturday and Seattle on the B.C. Day holiday Monday before travelling back to Seattle to face the Thunderbirds Tuesday.