Rockets gear up for first Hat-Trick Wednesday game
The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to get back into the win column on Wednesday when they host the Tri-City Americans for the first Hat-Trick Wednesday of the season at Prospera Place.
The Rockets are coming off of a three-game weekend that saw them go 1-1-1-0. Kelowna clawed back to force overtime on Friday in Kamloops but fell to the Blazers 3-2, then downed the Everett Silvertips 5-1 Saturday at Prospera Place before wrapping up the weekend with a 4-0 loss to the Vancouver Giants on the road.
“Three games in threes nights is never easy,” said Korczak. “To start off our season like that is something we’ll take and learn from. Tomorrow night we need to worry about ourselves. If we just stick to the way we play, we’ll beat anyone in this league.”
Kelowna currently sits in second place in the B.C. Division with a record of 2-1-1-0 and five points. They’re a point behind the division-leading Giants and a point ahead of the Kamloops Blazers and Victoria Royals who are tied for third place. The Prince George Cougars are last in the division with a single point.
The Americans spoiled the Spokane Chiefs home opener on Saturday, shutting them out 3-0, despite being outshot 38-23 by the Chiefs.
Tri-City is tied with the Portland Winterhawks for first place in the U.S. Division with six points; the Americans have a record of 3-1-0-0 record. They’re three points ahead of the second-place Spokane Chiefs and four points in front of the Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds.
Following Wednesday night’s game, Kelowna won’t face the Americans again until November 23, 2019, at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.
2018-2019 Season Series vs. Tri-City Americans: 3-1-0-0
Oct. 12, 2018: Kelowna 3 at Tri-City 2
Oct. 13, 2018: Tri-City 5 at Kelowna 4
Nov. 30, 2018: Kelowna 3 at Tri-City 2 OT
Dec. 5, 2018: Tri-City 3 at Kelowna 4 SO
Players to watch
Kelowna:
- Import player Pavel Novak is starting to find his footing, the rookie forward had two assists on Saturday.
- Overage forward Kyle Topping is tied for the team lead in scoring with five points (3G, 2A). Five (1G, 4A) of his 69 points last season came against the Americans.
Tri-City:
- Beck Warm was named the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week on Monday. He won both road games for the Americans over the weekend, stopping 69 of 70 shots for a .986 save percentage, and recording one shutout.
- Colorado Avalanche draft pick Sasha Mutala is tied for second in the WHL scoring and leads the Ams with eight points (3G, 5A) in four games played.
Purchase the Hat-Trick Wednesday deal from Select Your Tickets before 2:00pm on gameday, and 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
