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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Game Preview: Rockets vs. Blazers

March 29, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets battle the Kamloops Blazers
Kelowna Rockets battle the Kamloops Blazers
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Marissa Baecker)

In what can only be described as one of the most anticipated games of the Rockets schedule, Kelowna will host the Kamloops for their first of six matchups this season.

The last time these two teams met was a heated affair, the Kelowna dropped a 7-2 decision that was filled with plenty of rough stuff in the final few minutes of the game. Had the 2019-20 season not been cancelled due to Covid-19, the Rockets next game on the schedule would've been the rematch.

The intensity of the rivalry might not be there as several players have moved on since that game last season.

The Rockets said goodbye to Nolan Foote, Matthew Wedman, Michael Farren, Kyle Topping, Michael Farren and others. Zane Franklin, Ryley Appelt, Brodi Stuart, Jerzy Orchard, Luke Zazula, and a handful of others have departed the Blazers.

With a younger crop of players on both sides, it might be a tamer to start out. But with six matchups on the docket, there's a good chance the rivalry will be alive and well later into the shortened season.

The Rockets opened the season with a commanding 5-0 win over the Victoria Royals on Friday night at Prospera Place but were on the opposite end of it on Sunday when the Vancouver Giants blanked Kelowna 6-0.

The Rockets racked up 29 of the 70 penalty minutes in the game against the Giants.

After two games, the Rockets power play is one-for-ten on the season, they were shut down all five times on Sunday in Kamloops.

Cole Schwebius made 19 saves to pick up his second career WHL shutout on Friday, while Roman Basran stopped 31 of 37 shots on Sunday.

The Blazers are the lone undefeated team in the BC REMAX Hub, they're 2-0 on the season, outscoring their opponents 12-7.

Prince George couldn't hold on to their lead over the Blazers on Saturday. Down 3-1 after one period of play, the Blazers stormed back to take the game 5-4 thanks to Logan Stankoven's goal midway through the final period.

New York Rangers prospect and Team Canada World Junior goaltender Dylan Garand has started both games for Kamloops this season.

The Kelowna Rockets online 50/50 is back for the 2020-21 season for all home games.

The online 50/50 will give fans in Rockets fans located in British Columbia with the chance to win during every Rockets home game this season. The 50/50 will also raise important dollars for the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association and the Rockets Education Fund.

Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. PT Friday morning. To learn more about the online 50/50 please click here.

The TRUE Hockey Game Day Media Guide will be available with team notes, stats and rosters for all games. Feel free to print this at home.

The Rockets will post the JDS Mining Projected Lineup complete with line combos at least half an hour prior to puck drop for all games this season. You will be able to find the graphic on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stories.

2020-201 B.C. Division Standings

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Kamloops Blazers 2 2 0 0 0 4

2 Vancouver Giants 2 1 1 0 0 2

3 Kelowna Rockets 2 1 1 0 0 2

4 Prince George Cougars 1 0 1 0 0 0

5 Victoria Royals 1 0 1 0 0 0

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets battle the Kamloops Blazers
Kelowna Rockets battle the Kamloops Blazers
(Marissa Baecker)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2021


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