Gameday Notes: Rockets host Oil Kings for rare battle

TEAM NOTES PREPARED BY REGAN BARTEL OF AM 1150

Preview: The Kelowna Rockets and Edmonton Oil Kings meet for the one and only time this season. The Rockets enter the game riding a season-high four-game winning streak after victories over Kamloops (4-3), Victoria (4-1), Seattle (3-2) and Tri-City (2-1). Over that period, the Rockets have out-scored the opponent 13-7. Of those 13 goals, nine different players have found the back of the net. Only Dillon Hamaliuk (3 goals) and Alex Swetlikoff (2 goals) have scored more than once over the last four games. The team has not lost with rookie sensation Pavel Novak out of the lineup. The power play has suffered though without Novak, going 2 for 19 (10.5%).  After this game, the Rockets host their annual Teddy Bear Toss game Saturday against the hard-charging Prince George Cougars before departing on an Eastern Conference road trip with a stop in Prince Albert December 6^th. The team will play six games in 9 nights.

J.J Joins Rockets: The Rockets completed a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors Sunday (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. The right-handed centreman also helped Lethbridge to the Eastern Conference final two years ago. Joseph has 58 games of playoff experience under his belt, the most on the Rockets roster.

Broadcasters Notebook: Roman Basran was named the WHL Eli Wilson goaltender of the week ending November 24^th. Basran was 2-0-0-0, with a goals-against-average of 1.00 while stopping 50 of 52 shots…Michael Farren played in his 200^th career game November 16^th against Kamloops…Pavel Novak is serving game 5 of an eight-game suspension issued by the WHL for a checking from behind major and game misconduct penalty. Novak won’t return until December 10^th against Brandon…Leif Mattson played in his 200^th career game November 22^nd in Seattle…Dillon Hamaliuk signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks October 25^th. Hamaliuk was chosen in the 2^nd round by the Sharks in June’s NHL Draft. The 19-year-old joins Nolan Foote, who was signed by Tampa Bay back on June 25^th…Nolan Foote was named the 25^th captain in franchise history (Tacoma+Kelowna) October 18th. Foote joins brother Cal, who captained the Rockets during the 2017-2018 season.

Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.