Rockets Finish off Four Game Homestand vs. Oil Kings
February 21, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
The Kelowna Rockets are looking to finish off their four game home stand on a high note tomorrow night against the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.
Head Coach Jason Smith has been happy with his team's effort in the month of February, but doesn't want to see
their compete level slip.
"Well I think we've played with good structure, and our compete level has been good and we've obviously capitalized on some opportunities. I think there's some games where we probably didn't play as well as we've liked, but our goalies played well or we got some contributions late in the game from our top players that gave us an opportunity to get points or win games."
The Rockets have won four of their last five, while picking up points in all five of those games. Kelowna has also gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, and have only one regulation loss in the month of February when the Rockets fell to Kamloops earlier this month. Kelowna sits five points back of the Blazers for 2nd place in the B.C. Division, but Kelowna does hold two games in hand. Their record currently sits at 34-20-5-0, which is good for 73 points, while Victoria is keeping pace with the Rockets for 3rd place as they're currently four points back.
The Oil Kings meanwhile are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive, but will need some points down the stretch. Edmonton is making their only appearance of the season at Prospera Place this weekend. They currently sit in 5th place in the Central Division and 10th place in the Eastern Conference. They are 9 points back of the Calgary Hitmen and Saskatoon Blades for the final Wild Card spot with 13 games remaining.
This is the 3rd and final meeting between the Rockets and Oil Kings. Both prior meetings came down to the wire.
Kelowna took both games by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. After tomorrow's tilt the Rockets will have 12 games remaining, with seven against B.C. Division opponents and five against U.S. Division teams. Eight of those 12 games will be home games for the Rockets.
Kelowna will hit the road for three games in three nights starting on Friday in Kamloops. Kelowna will return home Wednesday March 1st to faceoff with the Prince George Cougars with puck drop going at 7:05.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
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Western Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2017
- Warriors' Sawchenko Named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Rockets Finish off Four Game Homestand vs. Oil Kings - Kelowna Rockets
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