Game Day: Rockets Host Calgary at Prospera
Published on October 24, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Tonight's Preview: The Kelowna Rockets face the Calgary Hitmen tonight in game two of a four game home stand. This is one of only two meetings between these two teams this season. The Rockets will not make a stop in Calgary this season. The Hitmen make a return visit on February 6th. The Rockets are coming off a 5-2 win last night over the visiting Prince George Cougars. Dillon Dube scored twice and added an assist in the teams 8th win of the season. Michael Herringer was named the second star with a 29 save performance. Following tonight's game, the Rockets face the Prince George Cougars next Friday (October 30th) before welcoming the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Halloween night.
Rockets vs. Hitmen: These two teams met twice last season with the Hitmen winning both games (Both in Calgary). Over the last five seasons the Hitmen have won 7 of 9 meetings. The Hitmen are riding a five game winning streak at Prospera Place. In their last two appearances at Kelowna, the Hitmen have won by identical 2-1 scores. The last Rockets win at home against the Hitmen was October 28/2009 in a 4-1 victory. Adam Brown made 35 saves and was named the first star.
Chartier and Merkley face Russians: Forward Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley have both been named to the WHL team that will face the Russian Selects in the Subway Super Series. Games will be played November 9th in Kelowna and November 10th in Kamloops. The games are designed to give Hockey Canada an evaluation of the players they believe should receive an invite to the World Junior main camp in December.
Getting Better with Age: Tyson Baillie has seven multiple point games this season. Baillie had 20 multiple point games last season. Baillie has more points (9+12!) after 12 games than he had after 12 games (10+6) last season. Baillie is traditionally a strong starter to the season. Two seasons ago, Baillie had 14 points (6+8) after 11 regular season games. Like fine wine, the overage forward gets better with age.
Dare to Compare: The Rockets were 11-1-0-0 after 12 games last season. The Rockets are 8-4-0-0 after 12 games this season. The team has scored 50 goals so far this season. Last season after 12 games, the team found the back of the net 62 times.
Who's Hot: Tyson Baillie has 3+6=9 in his last four games...Dillon Dube has 6+4 in his last three games and has collected 7 points in his last two games....Tomas Soustal has 6+6 this season. The second year forward had 8+10 in 65 games last season......Dillon Dube has points in six of nine games this season....Lucas Johansen is one point shy of his career high for points in a season (8) set in his rookie campaign...Nick Merkley has five assists in his last three games.
Milestone Makers: Rourke Chartier has played 195 career games, which is five short of 200....Cole Linaker plays in his 193rd career game tonight which is 7 shy of 200...Nick Merkley has 155 career points.....Merkley is playing in his 148th game which is 2 shy of 150...Riley Stadel is playing in his 198th career game this evening which is two shy of 200...Stadel has 94 career points.
This and That: The Rockets reduced their roster last Wednesday by sending 20 year-old Gage Quinney to the Kamloops Blazers for a third round bantam pick...Rookie defenceman Jonathan Smart has been selected by Hockey Canada to participate in the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John October 30th to November 7th...Riley Stadel has four fighting majors this season. Stadel had eight fighting majors last season....The Rockets next play three games in three nights January 29th, 30th and 31st with two of those three games on home ice....The Rockets had two players taken in the NHL draft. Nick Merkley was taken in the first round by Arizona. Devante Stephens was chosen in the 5th round by Buffalo...Cole Linaker (Oilers), Tomas Soustal (Flames) and Tyson Baillie (Flames) all received free agent tryouts...The Rockets were 3-2-0-0 in five games during the pre-season.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2015
- Game Day: Rockets Host Calgary at Prospera - Kelowna Rockets
- Game 11: October 24 vs. Saskatoon - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Notes October 24th vs Moose Jaw - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, October 24 at Kelowna - Calgary Hitmen
- Wheat Kings Continue Winning Ways - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Adin Hill Lifts Portland over Silvertips, 2-0 - Everett Silvertips
- Royals Tripped up by Chiefs - Victoria Royals
- Hitmen Edge Blazers 4-2 - Kamloops Blazers
- Rylan Toth Stops 40 Shots; Rebels Win 3-1 over Medicine Hat - Red Deer Rebels
- Wheat Kings Top Americans 5-3 - Tri-City Americans
- Yamamoto Brothers Pair up to Put Chiefs Back in Win Column - Spokane Chiefs
- T-Birds Win Streak at Six Games with Win over Giants - Seattle Thunderbirds
- T-Birds Down G-Men 3-1 - Vancouver Giants
- Blades Come Back in Kootenay - Saskatoon Blades
- Hawks Top Tips with 2-0 Shutout - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Return Home, Top Prince George 5-2 - Kelowna Rockets
- Rockets Begin Homestand with Win over PG - Kelowna Rockets
- Burke's Return Lifts Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Raiders Whip Warriors 7-2 - Prince Albert Raiders
- 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Tickets on Sale - WHL
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