Rockets lay 8 on Royals

Photo: Victoria Royals

The Kelowna Rockets made life miserable for rookie goaltender Brock Gould.

The Rockets exploded for a season-high eight goals, six on the 17-year-old rookie, in an 8-2 victory.

Lassie Thomson led the Rockets with two goals and a pair of assists. Liam Kindree had a goal and three assists.

Nolan Foote also scored twice with singles going to Kaeden Korczak, Dallen Wilton and Erik Gardiner with his first goal since March 7 of last season.

Special teams, which have been the Rockets Achilles Heel  were a plus for the Rockets Friday. They scored four times on six chances with the man advantage while holding the Royals without a goal on their six opportunities.

Kelowna's first four goals came with the man advantage.

Trailing 1-0 after one, the Royals grabbed their only lead of the night with back-to-back goal in the opening half of the second. Dante Hannoun scored the go-ahead goal, but was also assessed a goaltender interference call at the same time.

The Rockets capitalized just 16 seconds later, then took the lead for good 1:15 after the tying goal.

Two goals in the opening minute of the third chased Gould from the Victoria net.

Joel Grzybowski went the rest of the way, allowing the final two goals.

Roman Basran turned away 18 shots for the victory.

The same two teams meet Saturday in Victoria.

The Rockets conclude a busy weekend in Vancouver Sunday.

They're back home Tuesday when Swift Current comes to town.