The tough start to the season for the Kelowna Rockets continues as they fell 5-3 to the Spokane Chiefs on Friday, Oct. 4.

Kelowna didn't have the start they wanted as they found themselves down 3-0 after the first period as Spokane got goals from Shea Van Olm, Mathis Preston, and Berkly Catton.

After no goals were scored in the second period, just 62 seconds into the third, Rockets rookie forward Jakub Stancl scored his first career WHL goal on the powerplay goal to cut the deficit to two, assisted by Michael Cicek.

But at the 7:55 mark and the 12:13 mark, Van Olm and Preston respectively each scored their second goals of the game to make it 5-1.

With just over six minutes to go, Stancl scored a shorthanded goal this time, his second goal of the game and his career. 

And with just under two minutes left, Stancl found the back of the net again to complete his first career hat-trick but it wasn't enough as the Rockets fell, losing their fifth straight game to start the season.

Goaltender Jari Kykkanen made 25 saves in the loss. 

On Friday night, the Rockets welcome veteran Max Graham back into the lineup. Earlier in the day, he was assigned back to Kelowna from the New Jersey Devils.

The Rockets will look to get in the win column on Saturday night as they take on the Tri-City Americans. Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m.