Rockets down Blazers 8-2

Feb 24, 2017 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Blazers had a tough one at home on Friday night as they fell 8-2 to the Kelowna Rockets. 

Garrett Pilon scored the game’s first goal on a nice feed from Rudolfs Balcers only 1:28 into the game for an early 1-0 lead. 

From there, it was all Rockets. The Rockets would score three times in the first period as Rodney Southam, Tomas Soustal and Nick Merkley made it 3-1 after first period. The Rockets outshot the Blazers 18-5 in the period. 

The Rockets kept their momentum in the second period. Goals from Lucas Johansen, Kole Lind and Dillon Dube in the first 8:30 of the second period chased goaltender Connor Ingram from the net. Ingram stopped 20 of 26 shots in 28:30. 

Dylan Ferguson came on to shut the door the rest of the second period but allowed goals from Reid Gardiner and Carsen Twarynski in the third period. Luc Smith rounded out the scoring for the Blazers with his 10th of the season in a 8-2 loss. 

The Rockets outshot the Blazers 41-25. The Blazers were 0-for-3 on the power play, while the Rockets were 1-for-4. 

The Blazers return to action on Saturday night in Everett.