Rockets drop Valentine's tilt

Photo: Marissa Baecker

Call it the Valentine's Day massacre at Prospera, the Kelowna Rockets fell 4-1 to the Red Deer Rebels in WHL action Wednesday.

It was a tight game through two periods, with no score, with the Rockets held a 26-8 advantage in shots over the Rebels through 40 minutes.

In the third period, Josh Tarzwell opened the scoring 2:19 into the final frame and with 9:50 to go Kyle Toppingbeat Rebels goaltender Riley Lamb on a Kelowna power play to even things up at 1-1.

Just 58 seconds later Brandon Hagel put the Rebels back on top.
Reese Johnson padded the rebels lead to 3-1 and Mason McCarty potted the empty-netter with 59 seconds remaining as the Rockets fell 4-1.

Brodan Salmond's record falls to 7-8-0-1 after stopping 14 of the 17 shots he faced as Kelowna outshot Red Deer 37-18.

Kelowna's record is now 34-18-4-1.

Following Valentines Day the Rockets will head to Kamloops to renew their rivalry with the Blazers on Friday night in the first of back-to-back weekend games. Kelowna will then head back home to take on the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday night.