The Golden Rockets were unable to battle back against the Nelson Leafs after a first period meltdown.
The Leafs scored three unanswered goals in the first 20 minutes, the third of which was scored shorthanded. All three points were tallied by Nelson’s Patrick Martens.
The Rockets were given several chances in the second to narrow the gap, outshooting the Leafs 12 to seven, and being put on the power play four times. But there was no scoring in the second.
Late in the third the Rockets started to see results. Lane Erickson, on his first week back after an ankle injury, scored with less than two minutes on the clock.
Golden, on the power play in the dying seconds of the game, came within one goal when Captain Darren Andre scored at 0:22.
The final seconds ran out, ending the game at 3-2 for Nelson.
The Rockets play again tonight (Saturday Jan. 21), against the Chase Heat at 7:30.
