Rockets blast Winterhawks 5-3

KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets defeated the Portland Winterhawks 5-3 on Saturday night at the Moda Centre in Portland, Oregon, in the first of two games this weekend between the two teams.

The win was the Rockets fifth straight and improves the team’s record to 8-7-0-0 on the season.

Devante Stephens recorded his first career WHL hat trick and added an assist to lead the offensive attack. Stephens’s short-handed marker in the third period was the game winning goal.

Tomas Soustal scored his fifth of the season, while Nick Merkley also scored for the Rockets, his first of the season. Calvin Thurkauf chipped in with two helpers.

Michael Herringer earned the win in net as Portland outshot Kelowna 41-39 in the entertaining game.

The Rockets and Winterhawks are right back at it on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. in Portland before they return to Kelowna for two games next week, hosting Kamloops on Tuesday and Medicine Hat on Saturday.

Tickets are available for Rockets home games through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.