WHL Kelowna Rockets

Kelowna and Vancouver prepare for home and home this weekend

March 17, 2011 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


The race for first place in the Western Hockey League's BC division may have already been decided but this weekend's two game set between the Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants still holds plenty of intrigue for both teams.

With just a week to go before the WHL playoffs, the Rockets and Giants play in Vancouver on Friday before closing the WHL season Saturday at Prospera Place. Kelowna may have secured the division title but now it's about getting set for the playoffs and plenty remains on the line.

"I think both teams are going to make sure they are playing the right way heading into the playoffs," said Huska. "For us it's going to be an important weekend. We're expecting the guys to be playing the way we want them to in the playoffs. That is making sure we're competing hard for 60 minutes."

Both Kelowna (42-27-0-1) and Vancouver (33-31-1-4) head into the weekend coming off of losses. On Wednesday Kelowna dropped a 5-0 decision to the Seattle Thunderbirds while the same night Vancouver lost 5-3 to Portland.

For the Rockets, who can still catch Tri-City in Western Conference standings, Wednesday's loss snapped a five game winning streak and was just the team's second loss in 11 games.

"We're looking at it as a wake-up call that we have to play hard each and every time we step on the ice," said Huska. "We've done a pretty good job in the last little while of playing as a team. At this time of the year that's very important. You have to have guys that will sacrifice some individual statistics for the betterment of the team."

The Rockets will get Colton Sissons back into the lineup after he was injured last weekend and missed the team's past three games. Brett Bulmer also returned to the lineup on Wednesday. After taking Wednesday off Adam Brown is scheduled to play both games for Kelowna this weekend.

"We want to make sure Adam is as ready as he can be heading into the playoffs," said Huska, who added that the approaching playoffs are exciting for everyone. "You get to this time of the year where everybody really looks forward to the next game," he said.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central