Rockets fall 7-0 in Portland Saturday

Photo: Keith Dwiggins

The Kelowna Rockets suffered their worst defeat of the season Saturday, falling 7-0 to the US Division-leading Portland Winterhawks.

It was the Rockets fifth straight loss, and the first of back-to-back games in the Rose City.

Portland peppered starter Cole Schwebius with 42 shots over the opening 40 minutes, beating him four times.

Cole Tisdale, called up for the road trip after Roman Basran suffered an upper body injury in last Saturday's loss to Kamloops, took over in the third. He allowed the final three goals on 15 shots.

Dante Giannuzzi, making just his fifth career start, stopped 17 shots for his first WHL shutout.

Seth Jarvis opened, and closed the scoring while adding an assist to pace the Winterhawks attack. Reese Newkirk had a goal and two assists while four other players chipped in with a goal.

Portland led 2-0 after one period and 4-0 after two.

Following Sunday's late afternoon tilt in Portland, the Rockets gets a few days off before hosting Seattle Friday.