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Rockets rebound at home

The Kelowna Rockets rebounded from an embarrassing season opening loss Friday with a convincing win in their home opener, Saturday.

Riley Stadel scored twice and defenceman Cal Foote had three assists to lead the Rockets to a 5-1 victory over the Blazers before nearly 5,400 fans at Prospera Place.

Despite the way the club lost Friday (9-2), new head coach Jason Smith acknowledged it was only game one. Saturday was not do-or-die.

"It was about getting back to the basics and the staples of our game," said Smith.

"We really got away from that (Friday) night by taking too many penalties and not playing as units of five on the ice. We were doing things that ... were out of the ordinary."

Jordan Borstmayer opened the scoring when he took advantage of a fortuitous bounce. Cal Foot's point shot bounced off the glass at a funny angle and in front of the net, where he was able to tap it home.

Jonathan Smart doubled the lead on a five-on-three power-play, sending a wrist shot past starter Dylan Ferguson.

Three more unanswered goals in the second, two from Stadel and one from Tanner Wishnowski put the game on ice.

Michael Herringer's bid for a shutout was dashed on a Blazers power-play midway through the third.

Stadel, forced to play along the blueline at times with the absence of six players at NHL camps, said staying out of the box was key.

"Tonight, definitely we didn't take as many penalties as we did last night," said Stadel. "I think we came together better as a team."

Herringer turned away 25 shots to earn his first win of the season. He was pulled after allowing four goals Friday.

The Rockets host the Cougars Wednesday before heading north for weekend games in Prince George Friday and Saturday.



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