Rockets wrap up home stand against Thunderbirds and Blazers
The Kelowna Rockets finish off a four game home stand this weekend when the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers come to Prospera Place. The Rockets will get some reinforcements this weekend as Kole Lind is set to return to the lineup after missing the teams last four games.
After this weekend, the Rockets will have played 12 games in the year’s shortest month, with two more still to go. Rockets Head Coach Jason Smith says a loaded February schedule isn’t something only they have to deal with.
“Every team goes through the same situation,” Smith said. “We’re no different than any other team in the league. It’s about taking care of yourself away from the rink and getting rest when the opportunity allows it. Practices are getting a little bit shorter and we’re trying to make sure we have lots of energy for the games.”
This will be the fourth and final match-up against the Thunderbirds. The Rockets hosted Seattle back on January 5th when Donovan Neuls registered three points (2G, 1A) in a 6-4 Thunderbirds win. The teams squared off again a week later on January 12th in Kent, Washington when Leif Mattson (2G, 1A) and Cal Foote (3A) both recorded three points to lead Kelowna to a 6-2 victory, evening the season series. The teams met for the third straight Friday on January 19th, again in Kent. Thunderbirds forward Nolan Volcan notched a hat-trick en route to a 7-2 Seattle win. Friday night’s matchup in Kelowna represents an opportunity for the Rockets to even the season series against the defending WHL Champions.
The Rockets go into the game boasting a 36-18-4-2 record that’s good for 78 points and top spot in the B.C. Division. The Victoria Royals are three points behind the Rockets in the standings, but have also played one more game. The Vancouver Giants round out the top three spots in the division with a total of 70 points. Kelowna trails only the Everett Silvertips and their 83 points for first in the Western Conference.
Seattle comes into Friday with a 28-22-7-2 record and 65 points. The Thunderbirds are currently last in the U.S. Division, however, they’re still in the second Wild Card playoff spot, where they have a six point lead over the Kamloops Blazers. Everett sits atop the U.S. Division with 83 points. The Portland Winterhawks 74 points are good for second in the division, and the Spokane Chiefs sit in third with 71 points. Seattle is eighth in the Western Conference, just three points behind the Tri-City Americans for fourth in the division and seventh in the conference.
Puck drop on Friday is 7:05pm.
Kelowna will get right back to work on Saturday night when they host the Kamloops Blazers. The Rockets and Blazers will be squaring off for the sixth time out of eight times. The first two match-ups of the season between the two clubs came on September 22nd and 23rd to open the season. Kelowna hosted the Blazers on September 22nd when Brodan Salmond stood tall, stopping 33 of 35 shots to help the Rockets on their way to a 6-2 win. The teams were in Kamloops the following night, but this time Jack Cowell was the games first star, notching a pair of goals, including the game winner. The rivals didn’t meet again until after the holidays on December 27th. Liam Kindree was the hero in that one, scoring the shootout winner to give the Rockets a 2-1 win at home. They met again on December 29th. Kole Lind scored three times and James Porter stopped all 28 shots he faced in a 3-0 Rockets win in Kamloops. The last time these teams faced each other was on February 16th in Kamloops. Dillon Dube scored twice and Cal Foote recorded two assists to lead the Rockets to a 2-1 win. After Saturday’s game, the two divisional foes will finish their season series with a double header on March 9th in Kamloops and March 10th at Prospera Place.
The Blazers head into action on Friday against Tri-City with a 27-29-1-4 record. Their 59 points have them sitting fourth in the division with an 11 point cushion over the Prince George Cougars. Kamloops is chasing Seattle for the second and final Wild Card playoff spot. Seattle currently holds a six point lead over the Blazers. Kamloops is in ninth overall in the Western Conference, ahead of just the Cougars.
The Rockets will head out on the road for a three game road-trip after this weekends action. The first stop is in Prince George to take on the Cougars Tuesday and Wednesday night, before finishing the trip off in Everett next Friday.
Puck drop on Saturday at Prospera Place is at 7:05pm.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
