The Kelowna Rockets are back in the win column to start 2025.

An strong start and good push back was a recipe for success as the Rockets beat the Kamloops Blazers 6-4 on Friday, Jan. 3 at the Sandman Centre.

Andrew Cristall jump-started the night, scoring his 25th goal of the season just 24 seconds into the game. It was assisted by Gabriel Guilbault and Max Graham.

It remained 1-0 Kelowna until the 13:43 mark of the second period when Cristall scored his second of the game, 26th of the season.

Just under two minutes later, Kayden Longley found the back of the net for the sixth time this season, making it 3-0 Rockets after two periods. Kanjyu Gojsic assisted on the goal.

Kamloops came out strong to start the third period, getting goals from Oren Shtrom (9) and Nathan Behm (20) within the first 3:20 of the frame.

But 47 seconds later, Kelowna doubled their lead again when Kalder Varga scored. Longley and Gojsic collected the assists.

The two teams went back and forth the rest of the game as Kamloops made it an one-goal game twice more but it wasn't enough.

Emmitt Finnie scored for the Blazers to make it 4-3 but Graham responded with a short-handed goal, the eventual game-winner for the Rockets.

Behm added his second goal of the game, on the powerplay but Michael Cicek put the game away in the final minute with an empty net goal, assisted by Graham and Cristall. 

Rhett Stoesser made 32 saves in the win, ending Kelowna's six-game losing streak. 

With the win, the Rockets jumped back into the playoff picture with their 14-17-2-1 record. 

Kelowna is back on home ice on Saturday, Jan. 4 as they welcome the Vancouver Giants (18-14-4-0) to Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m.