ISight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Explode for Nine Goals in 9–2 Win Over Giants
The Kelowna Rockets put together a dominant performance on Friday night in Langley, scoring nine goals and outshooting the Vancouver Giants 51–18 in a convincing 9–2 victory at the Langley Events Centre. A six-goal second period broke the game wide open as Kelowna controlled the pace from start to finish.
GAME SUMMARY
Vancouver opened the scoring midway through the first period on a Brett Olson (9) powerplay goal at 10:16, but the Rockets answered quickly. Ty Halaburda (23) tied the game at 14:31 in his return to Vancouver since being traded earlier in the month, finishing a play set up by Tij Iginla and Parker Alcos to make it 1–1 after one.
The Rockets took full control in the second period.
Just eight seconds in, Tij Iginla (21) gave Kelowna the lead with a quick strike off a feed from Carson Wetsch. Dawson Gerwing (8) followed at 5:30 with the game-winning goal, converting a setup from Hayden Paupanekis.
Kelowna’s power play took over shortly after, as Tomas Poletin (18) made it 4–1 at 7:01 with help from Iginla and Gerwing. Gerwing added his second of the night (9) on another power play at 8:24, before Iginla scored again at 12:47 to extend the lead to 6–1. Vancouver briefly responded with a goal from Tobias Tomik (10) at 13:43, but Poletin (19) capped the explosive period with his second powerplay marker at 16:03, giving the Rockets a commanding 7–2 lead after forty minutes.
Kelowna continued to press in the third period. Iginla completed his hat trick at 7:17, assisted by Nate Corbet and Hiroki Gojsic, before Carson Wetsch (17) closed out the scoring at 10:48 off feeds from Iginla and Rowan Guest.
The Rockets finished the night 3-for-8 on the power play, while limiting Vancouver to just one goal on four opportunities.
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Shots on Goal: Kelowna 51 | Vancouver 18
- Power Play: Kelowna 3/8 | Vancouver 1/4
- Faceoffs: Vancouver 30 | Kelowna 24
UP NEXT
The Rockets head home to face the Portland Winterhawks on Tuesday, February 3rd at 7:05pm. Tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com.
