KELOWNA ROCKETS, 2005 WHL CHAMPIONS

Brandon, MB – The Kelowna Rockets were crowned the 2005 Western Hockey League champions on Friday (pictured, Commissioner Ron Robison presents the WHL Championship Trophy to Rockets Captain Brett Palin), and will make their third consecutive trip to the Memorial Cup.
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rTroy Bodie scored two goals to lead the Rockets to a convincing 8-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in game five of the WHL championship series at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, giving Kelowna a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven championship series.
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rBrett Palin netted two goals for the Rockets, who tallied five times on the power play and outshot the hosts 54-32. Justin Keller tallied a goal and two helpers for the Rockets while Gary Sylvester, Michal Blanar, and Lauris Darzins also added singles in the victory. Rookie goaltender Kristofer Westblom made 29 saves for the win.
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rCorey Courchene, Eric Fehr and Tim Konsorada scored for the Wheat Kings while Tyler Plante made 46 saves in the loss.
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rRockets’ defenceman Shea Weber was named Playoff MVP.
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r(pictured, Richard Doerksen presents the 2005 WHL Playoff MVP Trophy to Kelowna’s Shea Weber)Weber, a member of Canada’s Gold medal World Junior team, scored nine goals and 17 points in 18 playoff contests, putting him second in blueline scoring in the post-season.
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rIt’s Kelowna’s second WHL Championship title in the last three years, having previously won the title in 2003. The victory also allows the Rockets the chance to defend their 2004 Memorial Cup title, which they won as the tournament’s host team.
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rThe Rockets will now join Sidney Crosby’s QMJHL champions Rimouski Oceanic, the Ottawa 67’s and the host London Knights of the OHL in the 2005 Mastercard Memorial Cup, beginning Saturday, May 21st in London, Ontario.
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