KELOWNA, B.C. -- The Red Deer Rebels got their road trip off to a bad start after falling to the Kelowna Rockets 3-1, Tuesday.
Cal Foote had the eventual winner in the second period for the Rockets who were able to hold on despite being outshot in the game 35-27.
Ivan Nikolishin was the lone scorer for the Rebels with a first period tally. The Rebels (35-19-6) have now dropped three games in a row. Trevor Martin stopped 24 shots in goal for the Rebels.
Gordie Ballhorn opened the scoring and Cole Linaker added an insurance goal in the third period for the Rockets (40-15-3), who have won three straight. Michael Herringer made 34 saves for the win in net.
Kelowna went 1 for 4 on the power play, while Red Deer couldn’t score on its six man advantages.
Before the game, the Rockets announced that forward Nick Merkley, a prospect with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, would miss the rest of the season and playoffs with a torn ACL. The 18-year-old Merkley has 17 goals and 31 assists in 43 games this season.
The Rebels will now move on to Kamloops in hopes of breaking their winless skid over the Blazers tonight.