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Flamand's goal, assist leads Rockets to 3-2 win over visiting Blazers

Rockets edge by Blazers

The Kelowna Rockets have the Kamloops Blazers number, at least early in the WHL season.

The Western Conference's top team is 11-0 against the rest of the west, but 0-2 at Prospera Place.

Nolan Flamand had a two-point night and Talyn Boyko turned away 27 shots in his debut with the Rockets in a 3-2 victory over the visiting Blazers Wednesday.

"Our group, for some reason, they get fired up. There's a lot of hype behind Kamloops...and rightfully so, they're a great hockey team," said head coach Kris Mallette.

"But, I asked them to play a greasy home game, and I thought they played it to a T tonight. We kept it simple, and we were rewarded for it."

The win capped off a very successful five-game homestand in which the Rockets went 4-0-0-1. They have yet to lose in regulation time over their first six home games.

For the third time in four games the Rockets gave up the first goal on the first shot in the opening minute. Daylan Kuefler beat Boyko with a rising wrist shot from the low slot following a turnover at the blueline.

Boyko kept it a one-goal game moments later when denied Nick McCarry a sure goal from the edge of the crease, throwing out his right pad to keep the puck out.

"The puck kind of squirted off my blocker side...kind of weird," he said.

"I tried to get it with my paddle and it went underneath, so I kind of went all out in desperation and was fortunate enough to get it with my right leg."

The Rockets thought they had tied it midway through the opening period when Pavel Novak deflected Jake Lee's one-timer from the point.

However, after a lengthy review, it was deemed the puck was directed in with a high stick.

Mark Liwiski finally got the Rockets on the board with just 2.9 seconds left in the period.

Off a faceoff in the Kamloops end, Liwiski grabbed the loose puck, curled toward the slot and fired a shot that went off a stick and fluttered past Dylan Garand.

Colton Dach and Josh Pillar exchanged goals early in the second, setting the stage for Nolan Flamand's heroics.

On a power play late in the second, Flamand blasted a one-timer past Garand on a backdoor feed from Noah Dorey.

It was Flamand's second point of the night.

"Tonight, I challenged Nolan Flamand's line with Rilen Kovacevic and Turner McMillen to play against their top line, and I thought they did a very, very good job," said Mallette.

"They had scoring opportunities from it. Trying to find that identity for our group, giving guys certain roles and right now guys are relishing it. It's early but so far, so good."

Mallette said it wasn't perfect by any means, but it's progress.

"There were some mistakes, but the work ethic throughout, top to bottom, I was very pleased."

He said Boyko was solid but also credited the players in front with cutting down the number of second chance opportunities he faced, something the newly acquired goaltender agreed with.

The Rockets went 1-2 on the power play while holding the Blazers at bay on their three chances.

The Rockets now hit the road for five straight, beginning with back-to-back games in Prince George Friday and Saturday.



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