Game Notes: Rockets at Giants

TEAM NOTES PREPARED BY REGAN BARTEL OF AM 1150

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets make their second stop at the Langley Events Centre when they face-off against the Vancouver Giants. In the lone visit this season, September 29^th, the Rockets fell 4-0. These two teams met back on December 18^th with the G-Men earning a 4-3 victory. Conner McDonald, making his Rockets debut, had three assists in the setback. The Rockets make a return visit January 25^th and again March 20^th to close out the regular season. The Rockets are coming off a 4-0 loss last night to the Kamloops Blazers. It marked the third time this season the Rockets failed to find the back of the net. The team also lost 1-0 to Edmonton in a shootout and suffered a 4-0 setback at the LEC. The Rockets welcome Prince George Monday (7 P.M) December 30^th before ringing in the New Year January 3^rd against the visiting Victoria Royals.

Elder Statesman Added: The two newest members of the team made their home debuts before the Christmas break. Matthew Wedman, acquired in a trade with Seattle December 5th, showcased his talents in front of the home town faithful on December 18th. The 20-year-old led the T-Birds in scoring last season with 40+37=77 and played 275 games in a Seattle uniform. Twenty-year-old d-man Conner McDonald also made his debut December 18^th with three assists in a 4-3 loss to visiting Vancouver. McDonald was obtained from the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday night. McDonald scored 19 goals back on the blue-line last season, which was the second-highest total only behind Giants rearguard Bowen Byram.

The Price is Right: The Rockets also completed a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors November 24^th by acquiring 20-year-old Jadon Joseph. Joseph was a member of the Vancouver Giants last season that went all the way to the WHL final. Joseph has 58 games of playoff experience under his belt, the most on the Rockets roster.

Broadcasters Notebook: Nolan Foote is playing for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships, becoming the 18^th player in the organization to do so….10 of the Rockets last 12 games have been decided by one goal…The Rockets have played in 18-1 goal games this season, the most in the WHL…. Roman Basran was named the WHL Eli Wilson goaltender of the week in back-to-back weeks ending December 1st…Nolan Foote was named the 25^th captain in franchise history (Tacoma/Kelowna) October 18th…The Rockets have played in a Western Conference high 19 road games.