Rockets start fast, hold off Chiefs

KELOWNA, British Columbia – Nothing seems to be slowing down the Kelowna Rockets.

Kelowna, winners of 16 of 18 games this season, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held off the Spokane Chiefs’ late rally in a 4-2 Western Hockey League win on Friday night.

The loss dropped the Chiefs to 7-5-3-0 overall, fourth place in the WHL’s U.S. Division and 10 points behind division-leading Everett.

Nick Merkley gave Kelowna (16-1-1-0) the upperhand with a power-play goal late in the first period. Rourke Chartier then scored twice in the second period to give the Rockets a three-goal advantage.

Spokane’s Liam Stewart scored late in the second period to cut into the deficit. It was Stewart’s seventh goal of the season.

Adam Helewka brought the Chiefs to within 3-2 with a penalty-shot goal just 18 seconds into the third period, but a turnover 5 minutes later set up Kelowna’s Tyson Baillie who scored the final goal of the game.

Kelowna won in Spokane 3-2 on Oct. 17.

The Chiefs, who lost their second straight, play at Everett tonight. Spokane is 1-1 against the Silvertips this season.