Rockets’ Onslaught Buries Chiefs

Sat., Jan. 24, 1998

This one was over early.

Kelowna buried the Spokane Chiefs with a six-goal second period and cruised to a 7-1 victory in Western Hockey League action Friday night.

The win gave Kelowna coach Peter Anholt his 300th career victory.

Luke Curtin handed the Rockets a 1-0 lead with his 10th goal of the season at the 6:43 mark of the first period.

Karel Batik started the Rockets’ barrage in the second period with a goal at 1:15.

Rory McDade stretched it to 3-0 with a goal 5 minutes later.

Kelowna piled up three more goals over a 3:20 span to send Spokane goalie Aren Miller to the bench.

Curtin finished with a pair of goals and Quintin Laing added a pair of assists for the Rockets.

The Chiefs’ lone goal came at the hands of Kyle Rossiter, with an assist from Greg Leeb, at the 18:30 mark of the second period. It was Rossiter’s fifth goal of the season.

Chiefs’ backup goalie Shaun Fleming, who entered the game trailing 6-0, stopped 7 of 8 shots in a little more than one period.

Kelowna’s six goals was the most Spokane has allowed in any one period this year.

Spokane won’t have to wait long to avenge the loss. They host the Rockets tonight at 7:05 in the Arena.

The Chiefs will be trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak this season.

Rockets 7, Chiefs 1

Spokane 0 1 0 - 1

Kelowna 1 6 0 - 7

First period- 1, Kelowna, Curtin 10 (McLean), 6:43. Key penalties- Betik, Kel, 6:49; Komarniski, Spo, 8:43; Betik, Kel, 15:31; Graf, Spo, 18:22.

Second period- 2, Kelowna, Batik 2 (Wade, Laing), 1:15. 3, Kelowna, McDade 10 (Betik, Laing), 6:15. 4, Kelowna, Parker 21 (Swanson, Deleurme), 12:36 (pp). 5, Kelowna, Curtin 11 (McLean, Deleurme), 14:35 (pp). 6, Kelowna, McLean 32 (Hannan), 15:56 (sh). 7, Spokane, Rossiter 5 (Leeb), 18:30. 8, Kelowna, Dusanek 3 (Parker), 19:20. Key penalties-Severson, Spo, 3:08; Swanson, Kel 9:33; Ference, Spo, Double minor, 12:38; Mallette, Kel, 14:51.

Third period- None. Key penalties-McDade, Kel, 2:17; McDade, Kel, 7:46; Severson, Spo, 8:04; Parker, Kel, 18:06.

Power-play opp.-Spokane 0 of 7; Kelowna 2 of 6. Saves- Spokane, Miller 4-5-x -9, Fleming x-1-6 -7. Kelowna, Noble 9-3-6 -18. A-2,004.

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Rockets’ Onslaught Buries Chiefs

Jesse Tinsley

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