Hurricanes edge Kelowna Rockets in Lethbridge

KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets fell 6-5 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday night, Dec. 11, in the Enmax Centre in Southern Alberta.

It was a back and forth battle all night as the lead changed hands three separate times.

The Rockets started slow, allowing three goals on the first five shots of the game. Head Coach Jason Smith opted to make a goalie change following the third Hurricanes goal, taking Michael Herringer out and replacing him with backup Brodan Salmond. Momentum shifted and the Rockets turned it around. Calvin Thurkauf scored a late first period goal and the Rockets trailed 3-2 heading into the second frame.

James Hilsendager drew the Rockets even with his first goal since being acquired from the Regina Pats seven games prior. Calvin Thurkauf continued his goal scoring tear scoring his eighth goal in the last four games to pull the Rockets ahead 4-3. Lethbridge replied before the period was out and there was a 4-4 tie heading into the final 20 minutes.

The game was knotted at 4-4 up to the halfway point of the period but Lethbridge pulled ahead 5-4 with 9:34 remaining. The Hurricanes scored a power play marker with under five minutes to play. Nolan Foote pulled the Rockets within one just over a minute later but it wasn't enough as the Rockets fell 6-5.

Salmond gets the loss as the game winning goal was scored against him, his record fell to 4-4-0-0.

The Rockets fall to 19-12-1-0 on the season.

The Rockets are back in action on Tuesday night when they face the Tigers in Medicine Hat.

Kelowna’s next home game is December 27th when they face off against rival club the Kamloops Blazers for their first game back from the Christmas Break.