Leier scores twice as the Winterhawks snap the Rockets 23-game winning streak on home ice

KELOWNA, B.C. – Taylor Leier scored twice as the Portland Winterhawks snapped the Kelowna Rockets 23-game home-ice winning streak on Friday with a 5-3 victory in Western Hockey League action.

The last time Kelowna dropped a game at Prospera Place was back on Jan.10th, a 6-4 defeat against the Spokane Chiefs. Despite the loss, the Rockets still have the best home-ice record in the WHL at 24-3-0.

Nicolas Petan, Presten Kopeck and Brendan Leipsic also scored for the Winterhawks (44-8-3), who jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Kelowna finally got on the board in the third period, and Ty Rattie had two assists.

Colton Sissons, JT Barnett and Cody Fowlie scored for the Rockets (40-12-4), who scored three straight goals in the third period before Leispic scored into an empty net to secure the victory for Portland.

Mac Carruth made 29 saves for the victory as Jordon Cooke turned away 29-of-33 shots in a losing cause.

Portland went 1 for 7 on the power play while Kelowna scored once on three chances with the man advantage.

The Winterhawks currently lead the Western Conference with 91 points and the Rockets sit second, seven points behind Portland.