Game Preview: Vees vs Rockets
Published on March 20, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
The Penticton Vees play their final regular season game at home tonight as they welcome the Kelowna Rockets to the South Okanagan Events Centre. Puck drop is 7:00PM.
If you can't make it down to the SOEC, catch all the action on Victory+, Summit 800 AM and Summit 98.5 Summerland.
The Vees (42-14-6-4) got back in the win column following three straight losses (two in overtime) last time out taking down the Tri-City Americans by a 6-1 score. Brittan Altead (3A) and Diego Johnson (2G, 1A) led the way for the Vees while Ethan McCallum stopped 22/23 shots he faced in the victory.
The Rockets enter Friday's matchup 38-19-6-3 on the year. They sit in 4th in the Western Conference and are trying to track down Prince George, who they trail by one point, for third in the west. Kelowna is 7-1-1-1 in their last 10 games and have points in six straight with five of those games being wins.
Vees Player to Watch: F Brittan Alstead: Alstead registered his third game of the season with three or more points on Tuesday. He has eight points in his last six games and sits fifth overall on the Vees with 55 points this season.
Fast Fact: The Vees will have draws throughout the night with various prizes for the fans in attendance for tonight's Fan Appreciation night AND stay in your seats post-game for the team awards ceremony!
HEAD TO HEAD: This is the seventh meeting of the season between the two Okanagan rivals. The Vees are 3-2-0-1 against the Rockets this season and have won the last two contests. These two will wrap up the regular season tomorrow night in Kelowna.
2025-26 Scoring Leaders:
Vees:
Jacob Kvasnicka- 84 points (35g, 49a)
Ryden Evers- 73 points (34g, 39a)
Brady Birnie- 70 points (22g, 48a)
Matteo Danis- 57 points (29g, 28a)
Brittan Alstead- 55 points (20g, 35a)
Rockets
Tij Iginla- 89 points (41g, 48a)
Carson Wetsch- 71 points (22g, 49a)
Shane Smith- 68 points (33g, 35a)
Western Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2026
- T-Birds Inch Closer to the Postseason - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rockets Lose Tight Battle to Vees - Kelowna Rockets
- Hurlbert Leads Blazers Past Giants - Vancouver Giants
- Cougars Keep Rolling with Seventh Straight Victory; Defeat Royals, 4-3, in Shootoout - Prince George Cougars
- Miller Calls Game in Overtime Thriller over Americans - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Fall in Overtime to Portland in Final Home Game of 2025-26 - Tri-City Americans
- Tigers Take Down Rebels, 9-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Vees Win Third Straight over Rockets - Penticton Vees
- Chiefs Pick up a Point, Return Home for Final Two Regular Season Games - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Close Home Schedule in Front of Sellout Crowd - Swift Current Broncos
- Pats' Rally Falls Just Short in 6-3 Loss to Wheat Kings - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Down Hurricanes for 21st Road Win of Season - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Three-Goal Third Secures Wheat Kings' Win in Regina - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Warriors Start Final Regular Season Weekend with Win over Broncos - Moose Jaw Warriors
- "Just Like Brothers:" Zackary Shantz on his Run with the Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
- Associate General Manager Hildebrand to be Inducted into Saskatoon Blades Hall of Fame - Saskatoon Blades
- "Nothing Like It:" Rylan Gould on his Final Act in Everett - Everett Silvertips
- Game Preview: Vees vs Rockets - Penticton Vees
- Game Preview: Game 67 AT Rebels - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Chiefs Kick off Finale Weekend on Road Friday vs T-Birds - Spokane Chiefs
- CMHA's Talk Today Program Wraps up Successful 12th Season in CHL - WHL
- Oil Kings Finish Road Schedule in Lethbridge - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Warriors Heading West for Final Regular Season Away Game - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Day Hub: March 20 at Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Preview: Cougars at Royals - Prince George Cougars
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