WHL Playoffs on Shaw: Rockets Welcome Royals for Game 3

The Kelowna Rockets will look to hold serve when they return home to Prospera Place tonight facing a 2-0 series deficit at the hands of the visiting Victoria Royals, live on Shaw (Shaw HD 304) at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

Victoria enters Tuesday night’s contest winners of the opening two games this series, albeit by one goal each. Coleman Vollrath turned aside 40 shots in Game 1 to give the Royals a 2-1 win before the Rockets’ comeback fell just shy in a frantic end to Game 2 that saw Victoria escape with a 3-2 victory.

For Kelowna, perennial clutch performer Tyson Baillie seems to be back and just as dangerous as ever. After a slow start to the post-season, Baillie had goals in each of the series’ opening two games and has figured in every goal for Kelowna this round. Baillie’s six points (2g-4a) is tied for the team lead this post-season. With the likes of Tomas Soustal (3g-3a), Justin Kirkland (3g-2a) and Rourke Chartier (2g-3a) alongside Baillie, an offensive explosion is never out of the question.

Meanwhile the Royals still seem to be without Team Canada standout and Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Hicketts. The Western Conference’s Player of the Year is said to be skating, but is still considered day-to-day. In his absence, 19-year-old Edina, MN product Jack Walker has stepped up in a big way. The speedy forward has amassed 12 points (7g-5a) in eight games so far in the WHL Playoffs, including three against Kelowna.

The Royals won the 2015-16 regular season series with the Kelowna Rockets as they took five out of eight match-ups. Royals’ rookie forward Matthew Phillips amassed 16 points (5g-11a) to lead all skaters in the Clubs’ prior head-to-head meetings while Kirkland tallied seven points (4g-3a) to lead all Kelowna skaters.

Series Schedule

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