Series Preview: Rockets Battle Silvertips In Second Round Matchup

After sweeping the Kamloops Blazers, the Kelowna Rockets will face the Everett Silvertips in the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. The Silvertips are coming off a first-round sweep of the Portland Winterhawks after finishing the regular season atop the CHL, making them a formidable opponent. 

This matchup marks the first WHL playoff meeting between the two teams since 2010, when the Rockets defeated Everett in seven games. Although Kelowna lost every regular-season meeting against the Silvertips, they scored first and held the lead in each contest.

Excluding their third matchup, the Rockets led for roughly 65% of the season series, demonstrating how often they controlled play despite the losses.

ROUND 1 SCHEDULE

• Game 1: Kelowna @ Everett Friday, April 10th, 7:05pm PST
• Game 2: Kelowna @ Everett Saturday, April 11th, 6:05pm PST
• Game 3: Everett @ Kelowna Tuesday, April 14th, 7:05pm PST
• Game 4: Everett @ Kelowna Wednesday, April 15th, 7:05pm PST
• Game 5: Kelowna @ Everett Friday, April 17th, 7:05pm PST
• Game 6: Everett @ Kelowna Sunday April 19th, 5:05pm PST
• Game 7: Kelowna @ Everett Tuesday, April 21th, 7:05pm PST

KELOWNA ROCKETS

The Kelowna Rockets finished the season as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 38-21-6-3 record. After sweeping the Kamloops Blazers in the first round, the Rockets aim to reach the WHL’s Western Conference Final for the first time since 2017. Kelowna outscored the Blazers 21-8 in the opening round and will look to carry that momentum into the second round.

Utah Mammoth first round pick Tij Iginla had a massive first round, recording 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points in four games. He led the Rockets in the regular season with 90 points and a WHL-high 1.88 points per game. Czech rookie Vojtech Cihar scored six goals and added four assists in the first round, currently ranking second in playoff goals. Together, Iginla and Cihar the Rockets Dynamic Duo combined for three game-winning goals in the first round and remain the team’s most dangerous offensive threats.

Overage forwards Ty Halaburda (0G, 3A) and Shane Smith (0G, 2A) have yet to score in the playoffs, but their combined 62 goals and 132 points during the regular season make them key contributors. Captain Carson Wetsch (2G, 0A) added leadership while his 72 points this season ranked him second on the team in point production. Hayden Paupanekis (1G, 2A) had a strong first round, winning 62% of his faceoffs. 

The Rockets’ blue line is anchored by WHL veteran Mazden Leslie (0G, 2A), who led defensemen in scoring this season with 18 goals and 68 points. Leslie has played 30 career games against Everett and will be relied upon heavily in this series. Vancouver Canucks draft pick Parker Alcos (0G, 3A) was +8 in the first round and is expected to be a key presence on defense. 

Keith McInnis (0G, 2A) added two assists in game four and looks to continue that momentum. Other key defensemen—Nate Corbet (1G, 3A), Rowan Guest (1G, 3A), and Jacob Henderson (1G, 1A)—combined for 10 points in the first round, providing a strong offensive boost from the back end.

Harrison Boettiger (2.00 GAA, .934 SV%) was outstanding in the first round, stopping 114 of 122 shots. He has won 11 of his last 13 games, posting a save percentage below .930 in only two of those contests. 

WHERE THEY RANK

• Kelowna Rockets: 4th in the Western Conference (38-19-6-3)
• Everett Silvertips: 1st in the Western Conference (57-8-2-1)

Everett Silvertips

The Silvertips are coming off back-to-back seasons of winning the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions in the WHL. The Silvertips featured five 70+ point scorers this season. They swept the Winterhawks in the first round, outscoring them 25-5.

Offensively, they are led by Matias Vanhanen (4G, 2A), who also led the team in scoring during the regular season with 87 points in 62 games. Detroit Red Wings 2025 first-round pick Carter Bear (0G, 6A) had 36 goals and 77 points in 53 games but is yet to score in his 18 career playoff games. Julius Miettinen (4G, 2A) had a monster season for Everett, with a +60 rating the highest among forwards in the WHL. 

Defensively, the Silvertips are led by Landon Dupont (2G, 4A). Dupont, granted exceptional status in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, is the favourite to go first overall in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. His 73 points were tied for fourth among WHL defensemen this season. Tarin Smith (0G, 2A) also had a productive season from the blueline, posting 71 points and the highest plus-minus in the league.

In net, Anders Miller (1.25 GAA, .949 SV%) allowed just five goals in the first round and was one of the top goalies in the WHL this season. His 31 wins were second in the league.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Head-to-Head Season Series

Kelowna vs. Everett- 0-3-1-0

• Game 1: Saturday, October, 18th, 2025 (vs Everett ) — Everett won 3-2 
• Game 2: Sunday, November, 16th, 2025 (at Everett) — Everett won 3-2 OT
• Game 3: Friday, November, 21st, 2025 (vs Everett — Everett won 6-3
• Game 4: Wednesday, January, 21st 2026 (at Everett) — Everett won 5-3

Playoff History

• 2010 First Round: Kelowna won in seven games.
• 2006 Second Round: Everett won in six games.
• 2004 Conference Finals: Everett won in six games

Special Teams (PLAYOFF PERCENTAGES)

Kelowna: PP 25% | PK 80.% 

Everett: PP 29.41% | PK 70%

HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON:

The Rockets are 38-21-6-3, including an 19-8-5-2 record at the Prospera Place. On the road this year, the Rockets have an 19-13-1-1 record.

The Silvertips are 57-8-2-1, including a 28-3-2-1 record at home. On the road this year the Silvertips have a 29-5-0-0 record.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Kelowna Rockets Forward Tij Iginla was named a finalist for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy for WHL Player of the Year. The 19-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., returned following an injury-shortened 2024-25 season to lead the WHL in points per game (1.88), registering 90 points (41G-49A) in 48 games with the Rockets. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound centre established new career highs in both assists and points, best his previous marks from 2023-24 when he tallied 37 assists and 84 points in 64 games. Iginla finished sixth in both goals and points among all WHL skaters. Selected by the Utah Mammoth in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Iginla has played 184 career WHL regular season games, posting 225 points (108G-117A).

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Kelowna Rockets Forward Shane Smith was named a finalist for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy for WHL Humanitarian of the Year. The 21-year-old product of Cessford, Alta., boasted a career campaign in Kelowna, collecting 68 points (33G-35A) in 61 games. Leading by example with school visits, fan engagement, Smith made a personal pledge this season, donating $25 for each point he scored to the Canadian CMV Foundation, in honour of his niece, Maia, who was diagnosed with congenital CMV at birth. In total, Smith donated $1,675, and in the process raised awareness of congenital CMV – a common viral infection that can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. CMV can cause health problems in some babies, which is why awareness, prevention, and early detection are important. CMV impacts one in 200 newborns in Canada. 

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Kelowna Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton was named a finalist for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy for WHL’s Executive of the Year. In his 35th season as the ultimate architect of the Kelowna Rockets, 68-year-old Bruce Hamilton designed a team worthy of hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup. Hamilton’s Rockets finished fourth in the WHL’s Western Conference, going 38-21-6-3. Prior to puck drop this season, Hamilton added San Jose Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch, along with veteran blueliner Mazden Leslie. Before the 2026 WHL Trade Deadline passed, Hamilton had bolstered his depth and veteran presence with the addition of Vancouver Canucks prospect Parker Alcos, Shane Smith, Ty Halaburda, and others. Two of Hamilton’s savviest moves came in the form of imports – during the 2025 CHL Import Draft, he selected New York Islanders prospect Tomas Poletin with the first-overall pick; later in the campaign, he acquired Los Angeles Kings prospect Vojtech Cihar via trade and was successful in recruiting him to Kelowna following the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The offseason also saw Hamilton recruit U.S.-born netminder Harrison Boettiger, who is on the radar for the 2026 NHL Draft. Over his WHL career, Hamilton has won four WHL Championships, one Memorial Cup, and has been named WHL Executive of the Year on two occasions (1992-93, 2002-03).

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: 

Game 1 of the second round is set for Friday, April 10 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 PM PST. Game 2 will follow on Saturday, April 11 at 6:05 PM PST. Both games will be available to fans for free on Victory+ and 104.7 The Lizard.

The series will then shift back to Kelowna for Games 3 and 4 on April 14 and 15, with both games scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tickets for both matchups are available at selectyourtickets.com.