Cardinal Sport Playoff Preview: Rockets Battle Blazers in First Round of 2026 WHL Playoffs
Rockets Set to Face Blazers in Round One
Playoff hockey returns to Kelowna this weekend as the Rockets open the 2026 WHL Playoffs on home ice Friday, March 27th, against a familiar rival in the Kamloops Blazers. It marks the first postseason meeting between the two clubs since 2017, when Kelowna won the series in six games.
The Rockets enter the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference after posting a 38-21-6-3 record, while the Blazers secured the fifth seed at 31-24-7-6. With a history of tight playoff battles and both teams trending in the right direction, this matchup sets the stage for a competitive opening round.
The Rockets will be without their captain Carson Wetsch for Game 1 after he was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing last Saturday against the Penticton Vees, resulting in a one-game suspension.
ROUND 1 SCHEDULE
- Game 1: Kamloops @ Kelowna – Friday, March 27 – 7:05 PM PT
- Game 2: Kamloops @ Kelowna – Saturday, March 28 – 6:05 PM PT
- Game 3: Kelowna @ Kamloops – Tuesday, March 31 – 7:00 PM PT
- Game 4: Kelowna @ Kamloops – Wednesday, April 1 – 7:00 PM PT
- Game 5: Kamloops @ Kelowna – Friday, April 3 – 7:05 PM PT *If necessary
- Game 6: Kelowna @ Kamloops – Saturday, April 4 – 6:00 PM PT *If necessary
- Game 7: Kamloops @ Kelowna – Tuesday, April 7 – 7:05 PM PT *If necessary
KELOWNA ROCKETS
The Kelowna Rockets finished the season as the fourth seed in the Western Conference after going 38-21-6-3. It was a successful season for the Rockets, who came into the playoffs with a ton of momentum and have a 13-5-2-1 record since the start of February. The Rockets are looking to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time since 2015.
Offensively, Utah Mammoth draft pick Tij Iginla (41G, 49A) led the charge for the Rockets in the regular season. His 90 points led the team, and his 1.88 points per game was the highest in the WHL. Rockets captain Carson Wetsch (22G, 50A) was also a big part of the offence this season and is going to be a key part of the Rockets’ playoff run.
The Rockets will rely on overage forwards Shane Smith (33G, 35A) and Ty Halaburda (29G, 35A) during the playoffs. Smith’s 23 career playoff games are the most of any active Rocket. Czech forwards Tomas Poletin (20G, 15A) and Vojtech Cihar (12G, 21A) will also be big parts of the forward group. Cihar recorded eight points in four games this season against the Blazers. Playoff hockey is nothing new to either of these Czech rookies, who have played playoff-type games at the World Juniors this year, where they won Silver.
Defensively, Mazden Leslie (18G, 50A) leads the Rockets’ blue line in scoring. A veteran of 347 WHL games, Leslie will be a big part of the Rockets’ playoff success. His seven game-winning goals were the second most of any WHL defenceman, and his 258 career regular season points are 71 more than the next active WHL defenceman.
Keith McInnis (10G, 23A) has been a big part of the Rockets’ defence this season and is preparing to play his first career WHL playoff game. Parker Alcos (5G, 25A) is another key piece of the blue line, and his two-way game will be counted on. His plus-43 rating this season was the 15th highest in the WHL. Nate Corbet (3G, 11A) and Rowan Guest (1G, 24A) have also been important to the Rockets’ defensive structure, bringing a strong physical presence to the blue line.
In net, standout goaltender Harrison Boettiger (2.83 GAA, 0.911 SV%) was ranked seventh among North American goalies on the 2026 NHL Draft midterm rankings. Boettiger was fantastic to end the season, winning seven of his last nine games heading into the playoffs. Josh Banini (3.35 GAA, 0.890 SV%) was also solid down the stretch, allowing two or fewer goals in five of his last seven games.
WHERE THEY RANK
- Kelowna Rockets: 4th in the Western Conference (38-19-6-3)
- Kamloops Blazers: 5th in the Western Conference (31-24-7-6)
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
Kamloops won both games last weekend against the Vancouver Giants to help secure the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Kamloops hasn’t played in the playoffs since 2023, when they hosted the 2023 Memorial Cup. The Blazers have a high-scoring brand of hockey, but they also allow a lot of goals. Their 250 goals against this season is the fourth most of any playoff team.
Offensively, they are led by projected 2026 NHL first-round pick JP Hurlbert (42G, 55A). His 97 points were the most among WHL rookies this season. Hurlbert, however, struggled against the Rockets, recording no goals and three assists in six games.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nathan Behm (38G, 48A) and Edmonton Oilers draft pick Tommy Lafreniere (41G, 36A) were also both top 20 in WHL scoring this season. Veteran forwards Josh Evaschesen (33G, 40A) and Jordan Keller (27G, 28A) round out the high-scoring offence for the Blazers.
Defensively, Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Harrison Brunicke (2G, 22A) was one of the 10 point-per-game defensemen in the WHL this season. Overage defenseman Ryan Michael (3G, 30A) led the blue line in points. Isa Guram (7G, 24A), along with Carson Olsen (2G, 15A) and Rhett Ravndahl (4G, 12A), round out the defensive core.
In goal, Logan Edmonstone (3.14 GAA, 0.902 SV%) played 49 games, the third most of any WHL goaltender this season. Edmonstone has yet to appear in a playoff game in his three years in the WHL. Rookie goaltender Ivans Kufterins (4.06 GAA, 0.884 SV%) will back up Edmonstone in the playoffs.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Head-to-Head Season Series
Kelowna Record vs. Kamloops: 4-1-0-1
- Game 1: Friday, January 2nd, 2026 (vs Kamloops) — Kamloops won 3-2 SO
- Game 2: Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 (at Kamloops) — Kamloops won 4-1
- Game 3: Friday, February 20th, 2026 (at Kamloops) — Kelowna won 3-2 OT
- Game 4: Saturday, February 21st, 2026 (vs Kamloops) — Kelowna won 4-2
- Game 5: Friday, March 13th, 2026 (vs Kamloops) — Kelowna won 4-1
- Game 6: Saturday, March 14, 2026 (at Kamloops) — Kelowna won 5-1
Playoff History
- 2017 First Round: Kelowna won in 6 games
- 2016 First Round: Kelowna won in 7 games
- 2013 Second Round: Kamloops won in 4 games
- 2009 First Round: Kelowna won in 4 games
- 2002 First Round: Kelowna won in 4 games
- 1999: First Round: Kamloops won in 6 games
Last 10 games
Kelowna: 5-3-1-1
Kamloops: 6-3-0-1
Special teams
Kelowna: PP 23.1% | PK 80.3%
Kamloops PP 26.9% | 75.1%
KAMLOOPS KRYPTONITE:
Rockets forward Ty Halaburda found success against Kamloops this season, recording 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in 7 games. He also posted a +11 rating in those matchups.
Rockets forward Vojtech Cihar was equally effective, tallying 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 4 games against the Blazers. That includes a hat trick in a 5–1 win the last time the two teams met on March 14.
Rockets forward Tij Iginla continued his strong play against Kamloops, registering 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points in 4 games. He recorded multiple points in each of those contests.
On the blue line, Rockets defenceman Mazden Leslie contributed 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in 6 games against Kamloops. His performance included a three-point night on February 20, highlighted by the overtime winner.
HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON:
The Rockets are 38-21-6-3, including a 19-8-5-2 record at Prospera Place. On the road this year, the Rockets have a 19-13-1-1 record.
The Blazers are 31-24-7-6, including a 19-8-7-1 record at home. On the road this year, the Blazers have a 13-16-0-5 record.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Game 2 will take place on Saturday, March 28 at 6:05 PM PST, with tickets available at selectyourtickets.com. The series will then shift to Kamloops for Games 3 and 4 on March 30 and April 1, both scheduled for 7:00 PM PST and available to watch for free on Victory+ and 104.7 The Lizard.
