Preview: Rockets gear up for busy three games in three nights
The Kelowna Rockets will have their hands full with the two top teams in the BC Division.
The Rockets will host the Vancouver Giants on Thursday night, following that game Kamloops will roll in on Friday night and then they’ll meet up again on Saturday in Kamloops.
Kelowna is coming off of a 5-1 win over the Vicotria Royals last night, they’re now 6-2 on the season. Overage forward David Kope led the charge with a goal and two assists, while 16-year-old goaltender Nicholas Cristiano made 31 saves to pick up his first WHL win in his first start.
The Giants and Rockets met last Saturday at Prospera Place where the Rockets made a third-period comeback to win 4-3. Since that game, the Giants have dropped their last two to the Kamloops Blazers.
Kamloops heads into their Wednesday night matchup against Prince George having won their last five games.
2020-2021 B.C. Division Standings
as of Wednesday afternoon
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | Kamloops Blazers | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | Vancouver Giants | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 3 | Kelowna Rockets | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | Prince George Cougars | 14 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 4 | Victoria Royals | 15 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Season series vs VAN: 1-1-0-0
Mar. 28 – KEL 0 at VAN 6 L
Apr. 24 – VAN 3 at KEL 4 W
Apr. 29 – VAN at KEL
May 7 – KEL at VAN
Season series vs KAM: 0-1-0-0
Apr. 20 – KEL 2 at KAM 6 L
Apr. 30 – KAM at KEL
May. 1 – KEL at KAM
May 10 – KAM at KEL
Players to watch:
Kelowna:
- David Kope is on a hot streak, the overage forward has ten points (3G, 7A) in his last five games.
- Rookie Scott Cousins scored his first WHL goal on Tuesday night. The 2004 born forward has three points (1G, 2A) and a +5 plus/munis rating through six games this season.
Vancouver:
- Florida Panthers prospect Justin Sourdif leads the Giants in points with 23 (7G, 16A) in 15 games played.
- 2005 born defenceman Mazden Leslie has five goals through 12 games this season.
Kamloops:
- Connor Zary leads the Blazers in points with 24 (6G, 18A) through 14 games, he also leads the team in penalty minutes with 35.
- Defenceman Mats Lindgren is the son of former NHLer Mats Lindgren. The Blazers seventh overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft has three points (1G, 2A) in 14 games this season.
TRUE Hockey Game Day Guide and JDS Projected Lineup
The TRUE Hockey Game Day Media Guide will be available with team notes, stats and rosters for all games. Feel free to print this at home.
The Rockets will post the JDS Mining Projected Lineup complete with line combos at least half an hour prior to puck drop for all games this season. You will be able to find the graphic on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stories.
50/50
The online 50/50 will give fans in Rockets fans located in British Columbia with the chance to win during every Rockets home game this season. The 50/50 will also raise important dollars for the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association and the Rockets Education Fund.
Tickets will be available for purchase on Thursday and Friday starting at 9 a.m. PT and end at the start of the third period on the same day. After sales have closed, the draw shall take place and be announced no later than 12 a.m. PT.
Click here to learn more about the 50/50
Watch and listen
You can watch all Rockets games on the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca. As of Monday, CHL TV is now compatible with Roku.
You can also listen to the game on AM1550.
