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WHL  

Rockets close on top spot

The Kelowna Rockets continue to inch closer to the BC Division lead.

The Rockets climbed to within four points of division leading Victoria Friday night with a 4-2 victory in Spokane.

The win, coupled with the Royals 4-3 overtime loss over Medicine Hat, moved the Rockets within striking distance. They also hold three games in hand on the Royals.

Friday's win was the Rockets fourth in a row, and avenged a 6-2 loss in Spokane 10 days ago.

Carsen Twarynski and Dillon Dube each had a goal and an assist Friday.

Nolan Foote and Liam Kindree also twinkled the twine for the Rockets.

For Twarynski, the goal was his 19th of the season, one shy of his career high of 20 established two seasons ago.

His power play goal 41 seconds into the second period tied the game at 1-1, and sparked a three-goal second period outburst.

Foote and Kindree also scored in the second to put Kelowna up 3-1 after 40.

Dube, with his second shorthanded goal in as many games 15 minutes into the third put the game out of reach.

Luke Toporowski scored a late power play goal for the Chiefs to close out the scoring.

James Porter earned the win, turning away 31 of 33 shots he faced.

The Rockets look for a fifth straight win, and 10th in a row on home ice Saturday when they return home to host the Kootenay Ice.

It's the Rockets final home game before Christmas.

Saturday's game is also the Rockets' fifth annual Teddy Bear Toss night.

The Teddy Bear Toss is an annual event in which fans bring new teddy bears to the game and when the Rockets score their first goal of the night, the fans let the bears rain.

The Rockets donate the bears collected to the patients of the Kelowna General Hospital over the holidays. Last season Rockets fans contributed to three full truck-loads of teddy bears that were all delivered to KGH.

It could also mark the return of Kole Lind to the lineup. Lind has missed the last several games recovering from mono. He was scheduled to skate Saturday morning before a decision is made whether he would be inserted into the lineup.



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