Nick Merkley scored twice and added an assist to lead the Kelowna Rockets to a 6-4 victory over the Vancouver Giants in WHL action Friday night in Langley.
The Rockets, who have won seven of their last eight games, bounced back from a 5-1 home-ice loss Wednesday to the Kamloops Blazers.
Vancouver struck first seven minutes into the contest, but three minutes later Calvin Thurkauf scored his seventh of the season to even the score.
Shortly after that, Merkley extended his goal streak to four games putting the Rockets ahead. Vancouver tied the game late in the period.
Tomas Soustal scored his seventh on a toe-pull move around the defenceman for a shorthanded marker midway through the period.
Just three seconds later Braydyn Chizen put the Rockets up 4-2 on a shot from his own blue line that took a lucky hop through Vancouver goaltender Ryan Kubic’s legs.
With five minutes to go in the frame, Alec Bear scored his second of the night to pull the Giants within one.
After Vancouver tied it in the third, Kole Lind scored his seventh of the season to put Kelowna ahead to stay.
Merkley’s second of the night into the empty net sealed it for the Rockets.
Merkley, Thurkauf, and Soustal had three points each.
Michael Herringer collected his ninth win on the season stopping 30 of 34 shots he faced. The Rockets outshot the Giants 37-34.
Kelowna was 2-for-4 on the power play, and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill with two shorthanded goals.
The Rockets are back at it Saturday night when they take on the Medicine Hat Tigers at Prospera Place. Face off is 7 p.m.
