After dominating the game for the better part of 50 minutes, the Kelowna Rockets nearly let one slip on Tuesday night.
In the end, the Rockets put up enough resistance to hold off their B.C. Division rivals for a 4-3 win in WHL action at Prospera Place.
The Rockets (41-21-5-0) fifth straight victory pulled them to within two points of the Prince George Cougars (42-20-2-3) for top spot in the division, with five games remaining in the regular season.
While yielding the game’s last three goals in the third period wasn’t a sample of the Rockets’ best hockey, defenceman James Hilsendager said his club still found a way to earn two valuable points.
“We did a lot of good things the first two periods, then kind of let it slip in the third…but just to pull out a win is a good thing here,” said Hilsendager, who had a pair of assists and was named the game’s first star. “It was a big divisional game, so it’s a good feeling to win it.”
Nolan Foote, Carsen Twarysnki, Calvin Thurkauf and Leif Mattson scored for the Rockets who had built up a 4-0 by the 5:19 mark of the third period.
The Royals made a game of it with three goals in a span of 6:05 in the third period, including Jared Dymitriw’s second of the game with just 1:15 left.
Michael Herringer, the WHL’s goalie of the week, made 3o saves in the Rockets’ net for his fourth straight win.
Griffen Outhouse was chased from the Royals net in the second period after giving three goals on 22 shots. Dylan Myskiw finished the game, making 15 saves.
Meanwhile, Reid Gardiner picked up an assist for the Rockets to extend his point streak to 13 games (8 goals, 11 assists).
The Rockets, who play four of their last five games at home, will host the Vancouver Giants on Friday night.
Victoria will be back at Prospera Place on Saturday night.