Kelowna looks to bounce back against Swift Current

Category: ArticleOctober 15, 2019

The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to get back on track tomorrow night when they host the Swift Current Broncos for Hat-Trick Wednesday at Prospera Place.

Kelowna is coming off of a 5-2 loss to the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday night. The game was tied at two after 40 minutes, but Kamloops pulled ahead with three goals in the final period to claim the win. The Rockets power play was 1-6 on the night.

“I think that there’s a lot to learn from that game,” said Liam Kindree about the loss to the Blazers. “It’s a growth mindset, learning and looking past that game. Preparation wise, going into tomorrow we need to make sure we’re starting off hard and playing that way throughout the full 60 minutes. We’re really working on our power play this week because that needs to capitalize.”

The Broncos will face the Kamloops Blazers tonight before heading up the highway to visit the Rockets.

“We need to play fast, play to the structure, play disciplined and bring a maximum effort. The Broncos are going to come in tired, we need to play fast. When we play fast and according to our structure we’re able to capitalize against teams,” said Kindree.

Kelowna sits second in the B.C. Division with a record of 5-3-1-0 and 11 points. They’re six points ahead of the Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars who are tied for fourth place and are a single point in front of the Kamloops Blazers. The Vancouver Giants are in first place with 12 points, one more than Kelowna.

Swift Current moved to the Central Division this season with the relocation of the Kootenay ICE to Winnipeg.

They’re currently fifth in the division with five points and a record of 2-4-0-1. The Red Deer Rebels are in fourth place with eight points, while the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Calgary Hitmen are tied for third with nine points. Medicine Hat sits in second place with 15 points, and the Edmonton Oil Kings are in first with 17 points and a 7-1-3-0 record.

2018-2019 Season Series vs. Swift Current Broncos: 1-0-0-0

Oct. 23, 2018: Swift Current 2 at Kelowna 3

The last time these two met:

Adam Foote made his coaching debut behind the bench for the Rockets against the Broncos on October 23, 2918. Foote not only picked up his first win as a coach, but the Rockets also secured their first home victory of the season with a 3-2 win.

Players to watch:

Kelowna:

Liam Kindree had a goal and an assist in Saturday night’s loss to the Blazers. The winger has three goals and three assists in nine games played this season.
Forward Michael Farren has three points (one goal, two assists) in his last two games.

Swift Current:

Finnish defenceman Kasper Puutio was the first overall pick during the 2019 CHL Import Draft. The 5’11, 181-pound defender was named to NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ list for the 2020 NHL Draft earlier this month. He’s listed as a ‘B’ prospect, meaning he’s a second- or third-round candidate.
Overage goaltender Reece Klassen was listed by the Broncos last week. Last season between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Spokane Chiefs, Klassen posted an 18-8-4-5 record in 39 games.

Purchase the Hat-Trick Wednesday deal from Select Your Tickets before 2:00pm on gameday, you’ll get a pop, a hotdog and your ticket for $19.99 plus fees. Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050