Pavel Novak's 2 goals lead Kelowna Rockets to victory

Photo: Brett Cullen-Prince George Cougars

Pavel Novak provided all the offence the Kelowna Rockets needed Friday night.

The Czech rookie scored twice, including the game winner with less than two minutes left in regulation time, leading the Rockets past the pesky Prince George Cougars 2-1.

Novak, who is now tied in rookie scoring in the WHL, has five points in his last two games after a breakout three-point performance Wednesday.

Novak got the Rockets on the board five minutes into the opening frame when he banged home his second of the season off a feed from Liam Kindree behind the Prince George net.

It looked like the goal may be all the Rockets needed, as Roman Basran turned away everything the Cougars threw at home over the first 50 minutes.

Basran kicked out all 22 shots he faced over 40 minutes, as the Cougars had a wide edge in shots, 22-9 over the first two periods.

Prince George finally solved Basran midway through the third period when Josh Maser connected on the Cougars fourth power play of the night.

While killing a penalty late in the period, Novak induced Maser into a holding penalty.

With Maser still in the box, Novak fired a wrist shot that deflected off a Cougar and past netminder Taylor Gauthier.

The win was the Rockets first away from home early in the new season.

Their 4-1-1-0 is tops in the BC Division.

The Rockets look for the Prince George sweep when the two teams meet against Saturday.

The Rockets will play in Seattle next Friday before hosting the Kamloops Blazers next Saturday.