Chiefs drop another close one to Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets improved to 3-0 against the Spokane Chiefs and 18-1-1 overall Tuesday with a 4-3 decision at the Arena. Read story

The Rockets have outscored Spokane 11-7 this season, but the narrow margin has been good enough for three wins in three tries.

Spokane is 0-4 against Kelowna’s B.C. Division this year. The Chiefs dominated the B.C. last season, with a superb 14-4 record.

The Chiefs’ record against the B.C. has kept them from moving up in their U.S. Division. Spokane (19 points) remained tied for third with Seattle in the five-team division despite a 6-1-2-0 record against division foes.

League scoring leader Rourke Chartier, who notched his 19th and 20th goals on Tuesday, said Spokane has given Kelowna some of its top challenges this season.

“They’re a good team over there,” Chartier said. “They’re really well coached and they play great systems. We know every time we play them it’s going to be a tight game.”

By the way, Chartier is not related to Connor Chartier, who was recently released by Spokane when Jackson Playfair rejoined the team.

But Chiefs coach Don Nachbaur was not celebrating another close game against the Western Hockey League’s top-ranked team.

“I’d be applauding our guys if we put in a full effort, but we didn’t put in a full effort, a 60-minute effort, from my standpoint,” Nachbaur said.

The Chiefs are finished with the Rockets until March 7.