Preview: Cougars at Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets will hit the host the Prince George Cougars for the 2019 Teddy Bear Toss game tomorrow night at Prospera Place.
Kelowna was last in action on Tuesday where their four-game win streak was snapped by the Oil Kings with a 1-0 loss in the shootout.
Newest Rocket, Jadon Joseph, who was acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday played touched on what it was like to play his first game with Kelowna and what the team needs to do to be successful against the Cougars.
“We didn’t win, but we went to a shootout, and there were a lot of things we could build off from that,” said Joseph. “It was my first game with the team after being here for a day, so it was all new to me. I was trying to get a feel for the guys, the lines and see who I had chemistry with.
“We just have to play simple tomorrow, we’re a good team when we do that. We’ll get the results we want if we play like that.”
Prince George hasn’t played since last weekend where they defeated the B.C. Division-leading Kamloops Blazers in back to back games.
B.C. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | Kamloops Blazers | 25 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 2 | Kelowna Rockets | 24 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 29 |
| 3 | Vancouver Giants | 24 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 26 |
| 4 | Victoria Royals | 21 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| 5 | Prince George Cougars | 24 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 14 |
2019-2020 Season Series vs. Prince George Cougars: 3-1-0-0
Oct. 4, 2019: Kelowna 2 at Prince George 1
Oct. 5, 2019: Kelowna 1 at Prince George 4
Oct. 23, 2019: Kelowna 4 at Prince George 2
Nov. 1, 2019: Prince George 2 at Kelowna 6
upcoming games
Nov. 30, 2019: Prince George at Kelowna
Dec. 30, 2019: Prince George at Kelowna
Feb. 25, 2020: Kelowna at Prince George
Feb. 26, 2020: Kelowna at Prince George
Mar. 18, 2020: Prince George at Kelowna
The last time these two met:
Pavel Novak outscored the Cougars by himself back on November 1 at Prospera Place. Novak had the Rockets first hat-trick in two seasons to help tame Prince George 6-2. He also chipped in an assist to cap off his four-point night, Rockets captain Nolan Foote also had a four-points in the game as well. Roman Basran turned aside Basran 28 of the 30 shots fired on him to pick up his seventh win of the season.
Players to watch:
Kelowna:
- Mark Liwiski scored the teddy bear goal last year against the Saskatoon Blades, he’ll try to do it again this season.
You only get one shot a season at a teddy bear goal! @markliwiski13 worked hard for it! 🐻 🚨
🍎 @DevinSteffler
🍏 Dalton Gally pic.twitter.com/MQBRJJ2jVW— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 2, 2018
- Despite losing in the shootout, goaltender Roman Basran has his first shutout of the season after stopping all 27 shots on him through 65 minutes of play. He was awarded the WHL’s Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week award for last week after posting a 2-0-0-0 record.
- Overage import Vladislav Mikhalchuk hasn’t played against the Rockets this season, he returned from Europe earlier this month to rejoin the Cougars.
- Rhett Rhinehart picked up two assists against the Rockets the last time they met. Four of the defenceman’s ten points this season have come against Kelowna.
Limited seats remain for tomorrow nights game, grab your tickets today from Select Your Tickets! Visit selectyourtickets.com, the Prospera Place box office or call 250-762-5050 to secure your seats for the game.
