WHL Kelowna Rockets

Iginla Nets Hat Trick In Rockets Win Over Chiefs

October 8, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets goalkeeper Jake Pilon vs. the Spokane Chiefs
Kelowna Rockets goalkeeper Jake Pilon vs. the Spokane Chiefs
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets opened their five-game homestand with a 6-3 win over the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday night at Prospera Place.

Rookie goalie Jake Pilon made 36 saves on 39 shots to record his first win in the WHL, he also recorded his first assist. Tij Iginla set a new career high with four points in a game, he also posted his first career hat-trick. Former Spokane Chief Michael Cicek posted two goals and an assist in his first game against his former team.

Owen Martin found Carter Streek (1) at the backdoor of the Rockets net to give Spokane the opening lead 8:06 into the game. In on a two-on-one, Andrew Cristall passed the puck over to Michael Cicek (2), who found the back of the net against his former team, and tied the game. Hiroki Gojsic's sharp-angled shot bounced off of Dawson Cowan's pad right onto John Babcock's (1) stick.

Jake Pilon made the initial save Streek's shot that popped up into the air, landing directly in front of him where Lukáš Král (1) swatted in his first while on the power play to tie the game just before the midway point of the second period.

The Rockets started the third period with a five-on-three power play, Tij Iginla (3) and Cicek (3) both found the back of the net moments apart to push Kelowna ahead once again. Berkly Catton (3) pulled the Chiefs back within one, but Iginla (4) pushed Kelowna back out to a two-goal lead. Iginla (5) then finished off the hat trick with an empty net goal.

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 2-2-1-0

Kelowna was 2/4 on the powerplay, while Spokane was 1/3

The Chiefs outshot the Rockets 39-36

The Rockets lead the four-game season series 1-0, the two will face each other next on October 27 at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

UP NEXT

Kelowna's game against Victoria, that was originally scheduled for tomorrow, will be played on Thanksgiving Monday at 12:35 p.m. Children's tickets (12 and under) are on sale for $10.00 for the game and the Fan First Menu will be offered, which consists of $2 hot dogs and $5 Pabst Blue Ribbon beers. Single-game tickets for the entire Rockets regular season as well as Mini Packs are now on sale at Select Your Tickets.

Gabriel Szturc, who was returned to Kelowna for his overage season on Saturday, is expected to make his season debut on Monday.

Single Game Tickets can be purchased:

Online at selectyourtickets.com

By calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050

Or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.

Six and twelve game Mini Packs for the Kelowna Rockets season are now on sale through Select Your Tickets.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets goalkeeper Jake Pilon vs. the Spokane Chiefs
Kelowna Rockets goalkeeper Jake Pilon vs. the Spokane Chiefs
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2023


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