Rockets thumped on island

Photo: Marissa Baecker

The Victoria Royals broke open a tight game with four unanswered goals Friday, en route to a 6-1 thumping of the Kelowna Rockets in the provincial capital.

The game, the first of three straight between the BC Division rivals, moved Victoria into a first place tie with the Rockets.

Leading 2-1 midway through the second, goals from Igor Martynov and Matthew Phillips second of the period, gave the home side a comfortable three goal lead following 40 minutes.

Tyler Soy early and Andrei Grishakov on a late power play sealed the victory.

Dante Hannoun scored the other goal on a first period power play.

Dillon Dube scored the lone goal for the Rockets midway through the second. The goal pulled the Rockets to within a single goal, but that was as close as they got, despite peppering Victoria netminder Griffen Outhouse with 21 shots in the second.

Brodan Salmond started, but allowed four goals on 25 shots through two, and was replaced to start the third by James Porter.

Porter, seeing his first action since suffering an injury in Vancouver nearly a month ago, turned away 13 of the 15 shots fired his way.

Erik Gardiner, who missed 40 games due to injury also returned to the Rockets lineup Friday. He had one shot in the loss.

The same two teams play again Saturday in Victoria before making the trek to the Okanagan for a BC Day matinee Monday afternoon at Prospera Place.