Payworks Recap: Boyko and Rockets blank Giants 6-0 in home-and-home opener
The Kelowna Rockets extended their win streak to five games by opening their home-and-home series with the Vancouver Giants with a 6-0 victory on Friday night at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, BC.
Six different goal scorers found the back of the net for the Rockets. Talyn Boyko made 25 saves to collect his first shutout in a Rockets uniform and Pavel Novak notched his 100th WHL point, netting the third goal of the game.
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Seconds after a Giants power play ended, Elias Carmichael made a long stretch pass to find Turner McMillen (6) all alone in the Vancouver zone.
Just like McMillen’s goal, Marcus Pacheco (2) took off on another breakaway to push the Rockets to a 2-0 lead. Pavel Novak (17) and Adam Kydd (7) both scored for Kelowna in the final minute of the frame, with Novak’s goal coming on the power play.
Will Guski replaced Jesper Vikman in net for Vancouver to start the third period. Down a man, Mark Liwiski (11) scored the third breakaway goal of the game for the Rockets. Andrew Cristall then set up Gabriel Szturc (7) on the backdoor to give the Rockets a 6-0 lead late in the game.
Pavel Novak couldn't have asked for a better way to notch point number 100.
🚨 @pnovak111
🍎 @AndrewCristall
🍏 @Jake_poole21 #novomania | #mnwild pic.twitter.com/yTwkP0vSRZ— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 29, 2022
The Rockets record now improves to 21-10-1-3, with 46 points they sit second in the BC Division.
Kelowna outshot Vancouver 28-25.
The Rockets were 1-for-3 with the powerplay and shut down all five Giants opportunities.
Colton Dach and Tyson Feist missed the game with non-covid related injuries.
Kelowna will host the Giants tomorrow at Prospera Place, puck drop is set for 7:05 pm. Tickets for Saturday’s game and all other Rockets games are available at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050. Select Your Tickets is open 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and opens at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday home game days.
The home game that the Rockets play tomorrow is home game number 20. The postponed game against the Giants that was set for January 7th has yet to be rescheduled, a new date for that game is expected to be announced soon. The Rockets thank you for your patience.
Bekins Moving & Storage will be on the interlock collecting non-perishable food items for the Okanagan Food Bank during Saturday’s game. Fans who make a donation will be entered to win four (4) Club Seats and dinner for four (4) at Manhattan Point to a future Rockets game.
