Hot Rockets grind up Chiefs

The hockey machine that is the Kelowna Rockets chewed up the Spokane Chiefs, just as they have done to their last six opponents.

The Rockets frustrated the Chiefs, then wore on them, then broke them down in cruising to a 4-1 win over Spokane in Western Hockey League play on Wednesday night at the Arena.

“They’re such a good team,” said Chief Chris Bruton. “They’re so disciplined with their systems, and what happens is that they just keep wearing on you and wearing on you.

“It’s almost like they never make a mistake and though the opportunities come sometimes, they just don’t go in.”

The Chiefs came out strongly, but left the ice after the first period scratching their heads.

The Chiefs outsthot Kelowna 17-8 but trailed 1-0 after one period and were on their heels at times. Spokane had some quality scoring chances, but was denied each time by Kelowna goalie Kristofer Westblom.

“They didn’t dominate the first 20 minutes. We were able to get 17 shots against that team,” said Chiefs coach Bill Peters. “But then we were unable to keep playing at that pace and they played at their pace for 60 minutes.”

The Rockets’ lone goal of the period came at the 2:42 mark when Alexander Edler put in a shot from the high slot that hit off the left post on its way in.

Kelowna then stunned Spokane just 19 seconds into the second period after the face-off.

The puck ended up in the Spokane zone and Kirt Hill put it on net. It dribbled between the legs of Spokane goalie Kevin Armstrong, who didn’t see the puck sitting behind him. An alert Hill did see it and poked it in for a 2-0 lead, just beating a diving Spokane defenseman to the puck.

Kelowna continued its domination of Spokane for the remainder of the period, limiting the Chiefs to three shots.

The Rockets put the game out of reach early in the third.

Clayton Bauer banged in a rebound past an outstretched Armstrong, who had already made two saves but received no help.

Michael Grabner got the lone goal for Spokane – his team-leading 21st – with 1:17 remaining to make it 3-1. The Chiefs then pulled Armstrong, but Kelowna’s Troy Bodie got an empty-net goal with 18 seconds left.

Spokane (20-27-4-2, 46 points) remains one point behind fourth-place Portland.

Family affair

The game marked a matchup of brothers, Spokane rookie defenseman Jared Spurgeon and older brother Tyler, Kelowna’s captain and a center.

“I hadn’t gotten the chance to play against him before, so it was fun,” said Jared.

The pair would have met earlier this season, but Tyler missed the team’s first meeting with an injury. The players found themselves on the ice on several occasions with their lines matched up and swapped a few words.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” Tyler said. “He’s a competitor and it was fun to see him out there on the ice.”

Stoesz suspended

Chiefs forward Myles Stoesz has been suspended for four games resulting from a major penalty for elbowing last Saturday versus Tri-City.

Rockets 4, Chiefs 1

First Period—1, Kel, Edler 8 (Darzins) 2:42.

Second Period—2, Kel, Hill 6 (Edler) :19.

Third Period—3, Kel, Bauer 14 (Ray, Cumiskey) 3:12; 4, Spo, Grabner 21 (Blackwater) 18:43; 5, Kel, Bodie 21 (Westblom) 19:42 (en).

Power-play Opp.—Kelowna 0 of 1; Spokane 0 of 4. Saves—Kelowna, Westblom 28 saves. Spokane, Armstrong 23 saves. A—3,506.