Rockets double-up on visiting Hurricanes

KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-2 on Saturday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, winning its eighth straight game to start the season.

Tyson Baillie scored twice, Justin Kirkland scored the winner and captain Madison Bowey had a goal and an assist in the back and forth affair.

After a scoreless first period, the Hurricanes jumped out to a 2-0 lead with two goals in 23 seconds in the opening minute of the second period and the Rockets were on their heels.

But Baillie scored the first of his two, and now has a WHL leading 10 goals on the season, and brought the Rockets back to within one to enter the third period.

In the third, the Rockets began to take over. Goalie Jackson Whistle was excellent throughout the game in a first star performance that allowed his team to get back into it.

With the score still 2-1 Lethbridge and under four minutes to play, Bowey and Kirkland scored goals in 14 seconds to turn a deficit into a lead. Baillie added an empty netter to seal the victory.

The Rockets now head out on a three game road trip, beginning Wednesday in Kamloops before they head to Spokane and Tri City next weekend.

Kelowna returns home Oct. 22 to host Tri-City in the close of a home and home between the two teams.