Michal Plutnar and Beau McCue scored early for Tri-City, but the Americans had no answer for a 15-minute onslaught from the host Kelowna Rockets in a 6-3 WHL loss Friday.

The Rockets (31-10-1-1, 64 points) answered the Ams with four consecutive goals to take a 4-2 lead with most of the second period still to play.

Connor Rankin stemmed the bleeding with his score for Tri-City (23-16-1-2, 49 points) at 9:11 in the second. But Kelowna tacked on two more goals in another quick flurry in the third period to secure its eighth straight win and 17th in a row at home.

Dylen McKinley scored twice for the Rockets and also had a pair of assists. Ams goalie Luke Lee-Knight finished with 24 saves as Tri-City was outshot 30-29.

The Americans have today off and return to the Toyota Center to take on Seattle at 5:05 p.m. Sunday.