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View Full Version : Rockets continue to roll



Malc
02-04-2009, 02:52 PM
By Doyle Potenteau

The Kelowna Rockets' offence continued to click on Tuesday night.

Jamie Benn had three goals for Kelowna as the Rockets defeated the Kamloops Blazers 6-1 in WHL action at Interior Savings Centre. Kelowna, however, was unlucky not to win 10-1, as the Rockets pinged four posts, including three in the second period. "We came out a little slow in the first period, but in the second and third, we really took it to them," said Benn, who now has 34 goals on the season. "We've got some pretty good offence and we can shoot the puck. But their goalie made some pretty good saves, and we were a little bit unlucky. I think we're on a roll... Hopefully we can keep this thing going and see what happens."

Mikael Backlund, Cody Almond and Curt Gogol, with his first, also scored for Kelowna (30-19-1-2). With the win, the Rockets now have points in their last six games (4-0-1-1), including a 5-2 victory over the Blazers on Jan. 24 and a 10-1 decision over the Medicine Hat Tigers last Friday. Kenton Dulle, with his 20th goal, replied for Kamloops (25-25-1-4). Tuesday's contest was the sixth of nine meetings this season between Kelowna and Kamloops. The Rockets have won all of them outright, so far. Mark Guggenberger made 15 saves for the Rockets, while Justin Leclerc, with a 28-save effort, took the loss for the Blazers. For Benn, his third goal of the night – a shorthanded marker midway through the third that made it 4-1 – turned out to be a personal highlight. Not only did it seal Tuesday's victory, but he surpassed the 33 goals he tallied last season as a rookie. However, Benn's backbreaking goal wasn't the most celebrated of Kelowna's six last night. Rather, that honour belonged to Gogol, who scored his first WHL goal and received a warm welcome on Kelowna's bench after punching home the game's last goal.

"It feels pretty good to get the first one out of the way," said Gogol, "but it took me long enough. I just hope there's a lot more to come at the end of the season."

ICE CHIPS: Kelowna's scratches were RW Kyle St. Denis (hand, 1 week) and C Ian Duval... Kelowna was 2-for-4 on the power play; Kamloops was 0-for-6... The three stars were all Rockets: Benn, Tyler Myers and Backlund... Benn's three-goal effort was his second WHL hat trick... Benn ended the game in the penalty box; he was serving Ryley Grantham's penalty for elbowing late in the third period.

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories_local_sports.php?id=162505