Chiefs double up on Rockets; Win 5th in a row

The Spokane Chiefs continued their winning ways on the road Saturday night, dispatching the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place by a 4-2 count.

Hudson Elynuik

It was a big night for 20-year-old forward Hudson Elynuik, who scored three times and added an assist for a four-point night.

The Chiefs, with former Rockets head coach Dan Lambert behind the bench, have been on a tear of late, winning five in a row and eight of its last 10 games.

Meanwhile, the Rockets have been abysmal of late, dropping four in a row. Last week, Kelowna played four games in a five-night span and lost them all. The Rockets led in three of those four games.

Cal Foote

“Coach said we’re going to clear our minds, get ready for the last six games and head into the playoffs hopefully playing the right way,” explained team captain Cal Foote after the loss to Spokane.

On Saturday, the Chiefs scored first on Elynuik’s 25th of the season at 7:17 if the opening period.

Kelowna squared the contest late in the second period when Carsen Twarynski potted his 40th potted of the season at 19:27.

Ty Smith

The tight-checking that was evident through 40 minutes, disappeared in the third period as the teams erupted for four goals.

Projected 2018 first round pick Ty Smith, the second leading scorer among defenceman in the WHL, stuffed his 14th of the season past James Porter in the Rockets cage at 5:01.

At 13:41, Rockets leading-scorer Kole Lind, buoyed this week by signing an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks, tallied a goal scorer’s goal to knot the game at 2-2. Lind took a feed from Dillon Dube at the goal line, waited for Dawson Weatherill to edge away from the post, then sent a laser bar down from a near impossible angle for his 37th of the season.

Kole Lind

Elynuik sealed the verdict for Spokane at 18:46, poking a rebound past Porter before adding an empty-netter 58 seconds later.

Spokane, which outshot Kelowna 28-24, improved to 38-21-3-2, good for 81 points. The Chiefs are two points behind the Portland Winterhawks in the U.S. Division standings.

The two division foes appear destined for a first-round playoff series. Both teams have eight games remaining with home ice advantage in the post-season up for grabs. The ‘Hawks host the Chiefs on the final day of the regular season.

Kelowna is 38-22-4-2 and continues to lead the B.C. Division.

However, its lead has dwindled to four points over the Victoria Royals. Each team has six games remaining, but they will not face each other. The B.C. Division winner appears destined for a first round date with the Tri City Americans, although the Seattle Thunderbirds are only three points behind the Amerks for the first wild-card spot in the post-season.

Post Game Interview: Jason Smith – click here

Post Game Interview: Cal Foote – click here

Ice Chips…The three stars were Elynuik, Porter and Twarynski…Kelowna was 1-for-5 on the power play while Spokane was 0-for-5…The Chiefs next game in Tuesday in Victoria. The Rockets host the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday…Kelowna has dropped four in a row and is 4-5-0-1 in its last ten…The Chiefs are 10-4-0-1 against the B.C. Division this season…The Rockets are 7-10-2-1 against U.S Division teams…Spokane and Kelowna split the four game season series, with each team winning once a home and once on the road…Kelowna is 23-7-0-2 at home this season…The Chiefs are the highest scoring team in the U.S. Division with 250 goals through 64 games.

(DUBNetwork thanks Kevin Bain and the Kelowna Rockets for the audio/video)