Cardinal Sport Game Preview: Rockets Welcome Red Deer Rebels Tuesday Night
The Kelowna Rockets continue their three-game homestand Tuesday as they face the Red Deer Rebels at home at 7:05 pm PST. The Rockets look to bounce back after being shutout Saturday against Penticton.
KELOWNA ROCKETS:
Kelowna enters the matchup looking to respond after a tough 5–0 loss to the Penticton Vees on Saturday night. Despite the setback, the Rockets remain firmly in the mix for Western Conference playoff positioning as the season hits a critical stretch, with every point carrying added weight down the line.
Kelowna’s identity has started to take shape, built around pace, depth, and competitiveness throughout the lineup. While the results didn’t follow last game, the group has shown an ability to bounce back quickly, and Tuesday presents an opportunity to reset, simplify, and get back to their game on home ice.
A veteran core drives the Rockets offensively, consistently delivering in crucial moments. Ty Halaburda (22G, 22A), Carson Wetsch (16G, 32A), and Tij Iginla (18G, 18A) have been relied upon for consistent scoring and leadership and will look to keep the offense moving this weekend. Czech forwards Tomas Poletin (16G, 11A) and Vojtech Cihar (5A) have also been strong additions, providing depth scoring, responsible two-way play, and added versatility throughout the lineup.
On the backend, Parker Alcos (4G, 14A) has made an immediate impact since arriving in Kelowna, bringing defensive stability while still contributing offensively. He is joined by veteran defenders Mazden Leslie (10G, 29A) and Keith McInnis (6G, 19A) who will be playing his former team for the first time since being traded.
In goal, Harrison Boettiger (3.12 GAA, .904 SV%) has shouldered a heavy workload as of late and continues to be relied upon to give the Rockets a chance every night. After the 5–0 loss to Penticton, Boettiger will be looking to reset and respond, something he has done well throughout the season following tough outings.
Special teams will also be an area of focus for Kelowna. The Rockets’ powerplay, which went scoreless against the Vees in their last game, will strive to restore its confidence and execution. On the penalty kill, Kelowna surrendered three power-play goals, an area the group will be determined to clean up heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
WHERE THEY RANK:
The Rockets currently sit sixth in the Western Conference with a 22-16-4-2 record
The Rebels currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 16-23-2-2 record
RED DEER REBELS:
Red Deer currently sits eighth in the Eastern Conference and has had a tough season, as they currently sit in the last playoff spot in the East. While goals have been harder to come by, the Rebels play a disciplined defensive game and will look to make Kelowna earn its chances by limiting time and space. Expect Red Deer to try and dictate a tighter, lower-scoring style of play.
Up front, the Rebels are led by Beckett Hamilton (16G, 20A), Talon Brigley (14G, 13A), Poul Andersen (14G, 8A), and former Rocket Kalder Varga (13G, 8A), who faces Kelowna for the first time since being traded for defenseman Keith McInnis. After appearing in 92 games with the Rockets, Varga has emerged as a significant offensive contributor for Red Deer.
On the back end, Red Deer features a young blue line anchored by rookies Nate Yellowga (4G, 13A), Matus Lisy (4G, 9A), and Jiri Kamas (2G, 7A). Despite their age, the trio has provided steady minutes and continues to grow into reliable two-way contributors.
In goal, rookie netminder Matthew Kondro has carried the bulk of the workload, appearing in 22 games this season with a 3.47 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage.
Special teams remain an area to watch for Red Deer, as they rank in the bottom five on the power play and sit in the lower half of the league on the penalty kill an area Kelowna will look to take advantage of.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Last 10 games
Kelowna: 5-3-1-1
Red Deer: 6-4-0-0
Special teams
Kelowna: PP 22.89% | PK 78.8%
Red Deer PP 18.4% | PK 72.2%
YOUTH MOVEMENT:
Tomas Poletin leads the Rockets rookies with 27 points in 30 games. He returned to the lineup on Wednesday against Everett after missing the last three matchups with an upper-body injury. The Rockets also recently welcomed rookie Vojtech Cihar, who has had a strong debut with five points in his first eight WHL games. Owen Folstrom, who is eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, has been heating up as of late with three points in his last six games.
POWER RANKINGS:
The Rockets currently sit seventh in the week seventeen power rankings. Red Deer, who is eighth in the Eastern Conference, is currently outside of the top sixteen in the power rankings.
2026 NHL DRAFT:
Kelowna currently has two Rockets on the Midterm Rankings of the NHL Central Scouting list as Players to watch ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Goaltenders Harrison Boettiger and Frantisek Poletin were originally ranked as “B”-level prospects in the preliminary rankings, which list them as potential second or third-round picks. This time around, Boettinger was listed as the seventh-best North American goaltender, while Poletin is listed as the fifth-best International goaltender.
OLYMPIC INVITE:
Rockets Alumnus and 2015 WHL Champion Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers will be representing Team Germany for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Draisaitl played for the Rockets from 2014-2015.
Rockets Alumnus and 2015 WHL Champion Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets will be representing Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Morrissey played for the Rockets from 2014-2015.
Rockets Alumnus Calvin Thurkauf of HC Lugano of the National League will be representing Team Switzerland for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Thurkauf played for the Rockets from 2015-2017.
HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON:
The Rockets are 22-16-4-2, including a 7-7-3-2 record at the Prospera Place. On the road this year, the Rockets have a 15-9-1-0 record.
The Red Deer Rebels have a record of 16-23-2-2, which includes a 7-14-1-0 record at home. On the road, Red Deer is 9-9-1-2.
WHL REGULAR SEASON MILESTONES:
Ty Halaburda – 2 goals away from 100 career WHL goals.
ROCKETS INJURY REPORT:
#7 Peyton Kettles – UBI (Indefinitely)
#9 Shane Smith – UBI (Week-to-Week)
#35 Josh Banini – UBI (Week-to-Week)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
The Rockets close out their three-game homestand Friday, January 30th, against the Prince George Cougars at 7:05pm for Country Night before heading to Vancouver Saturday Night to face the Giants. Tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com.
