RECAP: Rockets Come Out Swinging in Home Win Over Giants

KELOWNA, B.C. – The Kelowna Rockets struck five times in the first period en route to an 8-2 win over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night at Prospera Place.

The Giants fell behind early, surrendering four Rockets goals in the first 7:18 of the game and then another late in the first. Vancouver got on the board early in the second to make it 5-1 and eventually 6-2, but the damage had been done. Kelowna scored twice early in the third to make it an 8-2 final score.

Vancouver falls to 20-31-1-2 (43 points), while the Memorial Cup host Rockets improve to 28-18-5-2 (63 points), currently sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference.

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Leonardo Domenichelli and Jaxson Pawlenchuk each scored for the Giants.

Owen Folmstrom, Mazden Leslie and Tij Iginla each had a pair of goals for Kelowna. Carson Wetsch and Vojtech Cihar had the other Rockets’ tallies.

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GAME SUMMARY

Folstrom opened the scoring off a rebound in front of the net at the 2:39 mark of the first, which was quickly followed by a goal from Iginla 38 seconds later when he split the Giants defencemen and went in on a breakaway.

Just over two minutes later, Leslie made it 3-0 for the Rockets off a deflection.

Folstrom scored on a deflection of his own less than two minutes later, before Leslie also tallied his second of the period to make the score 5-0 for Kelowna after one period.

Domenichelli got the Giants on the board with a breakaway goal early in the second period, giving him six goals on the season – three of which have come against Kelowna.

Domenichelli fires in the first goal for the Giants with the assist from Lance McCloskey!! 🚨 Score is 5-1 Rockets still lead. pic.twitter.com/yc17Y7Sc7z

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2026

The Giants would get a power play opportunity soon after that goal, but were unable to capitalize.

Westch scored his 18th of the season to make it 6-1 Rockets halfway through the second period.

Pawlenchuk notched his first goal as a Giant with less than 90 seconds left in the second period after some good forechecking pressure from Brett Olson.

His FIRST as a Giant, it’s Jaxson Pawlenchuk! 🤩👏 assists to Gerrior and Olson!! pic.twitter.com/2Bf1Uyot2n

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 15, 2026

The Rockets got early third period goals from Iginla and Cihar to make the final score 8-2.

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