Last Friday night, the Kelowna Rockets jumped on the hometown Seattle Thunderbirds early en route to a convincing 6-2 win.

A week later, the T-Birds will undoubtedly be looking for payback when the teams face off once again tonight in Kent, WA.

Rockets害羞草研究所� head coach Jason Smith said replicating last week害羞草研究所檚 first period will be key for his team.

害羞草研究所淲e went in there last time and got off to a good start in the game,害羞草研究所� Smith said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 important when you spend that much time on the bus and going into a building that害羞草研究所檚 hard to play in.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about starting the game the right way, making sure you害羞草研究所檙e ready to compete and do things that allow your team to have success.害羞草研究所�

With rookie goaltenders James Porter and Roman Basran both sidelined, veteran Brodan Salmond will shoulder the netminding load, at least through the weekend.

Salmond, who had been recovering from injury, played his first game since early November on Wednesday as the Rockets edged the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime.

害羞草研究所淚 think he害羞草研究所檚 excited about the challenge,害羞草研究所� Smith said of Salmond, 19. 害羞草研究所淎ny time you害羞草研究所檙e out hurt and you have the chance to come back, you害羞草研究所檝e got that energy and that burst, and he was excited (Wednesday). Now it害羞草研究所檚 about getting food, rest, and being ready for the next one.害羞草研究所�

Porter is sidelined on a day-to-day basis with an upper body injury, while a lower body injury will keep Basran out for the long term.

Cole Tisdale, who plays midget AAA in Lethbridge, will serve as Salmond害羞草研究所檚 back up.

Meanwhile, in his first game back since the world junior championship, Dillon Dube had a goal and an assist for the Rockets, while fellow gold medalist Cal Foote netted the overtime winner. Both were honoured for their world junior victory prior to Wednesday害羞草研究所檚 game.

Congratulations to both of our gold medalists! You made the country proud! 馃嚚馃嚘馃帠锔�

害羞草研究所� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)

Connor Bruggen-Cate scored twice Wednesday for the Rockets (28-13-2-1) who stretched their lead to three points over Vancouver atop the B.C. Division.

The Rockets will be back home Saturday to host the Victoria Royals.

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whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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