
Kykkanen, Rockets Shut out Giants
December 2, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release

Kelowna Rockets and Dylan Wightman (24) react after his third period goal
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Vancouver Giants)
The Kelowna Rockets kicked off their eight games away from Propsera Place with a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Giants on Friday night at the Langley Events Centre.
Jari Kykkanen made 31 saves to earn the second star of the game and collect his first shutout of the season and third of his career.
Andrew Cristall was named the game's first star after being in on all of the Rockets goals, recording a goal and three assists.
GAME SUMMARY
Hiroki Gojsic made a pass from the right faceoff circle to Gabriel Szturc (12) in front of the Giants net where he put the Rockets on the board 15:19 into the game. John Babcock (2) struck for Kelowna 1:46 later, from along the left point he skated down the wall evading Tyler Thorpe, letting a shot go from the bottom of the left faceoff circle that beat Brett Mirwald short side.
While on the power play, Max Graham's shot from the slot went off the post, leaving the puck in the blue paint for Dylan Wightman (7) to jam into the net half-way through the third period. Andrew Cristall (15) launched a shot from the neutral zone into the empty net to give the Rockets a four-goal lead late in the game.
ADDITIONAL STATS
The Rockets record is now 11-13-2-0
Kelowna shut down all three Giants power play opportunities, while the Rockets were one-for-three on the man advantage
The Rockets outshot the Giants 32 to 31
It was the second of eight meetings between the two this season, the Rockets lead the series 2-0. The two will face each other next on January 19 at Prospera Place
UP NEXT
Kelowna will be back in action tonight, where they'll face the Seattle Thunderbirds in Kent, WA at 6:05 pm.
The Rockets next home game is December 29, when they'll host the Kamloops Blazers for the first time this season at Prospera Place.
Single Game Tickets for all Rockets games 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.
Images from this story
![]() Kelowna Rockets and Dylan Wightman (24) react after his third period goal (Vancouver Giants) |
Western Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2023
- Pats Snap Losing-Streak with 6-5 Shootout Win - Regina Pats
- Halaburda Hat-Trick Powers Giants to 6-3 Win - Vancouver Giants
- Rockets Taken Down by Thunderbirds - Kelowna Rockets
- Wild Stun Hawks in Overtime - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs' Comeback Falls Short as High-Powered Cougars Win 6-3 on Teddy Bear Toss Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Doubled-up by Giants - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Earn Second Win on US Trip with 6-3 Win in Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Lindstrom Makes It Rain in Tigers' Teddy Bear Toss Win oOver Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Silvertips Close Out Road Trip with 3-2 Shootout Loss in Red Deer - Everett Silvertips
- Wild Stun Hawks in OT - Portland Winterhawks
- Kykkanen, Rockets Shut out Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Preview: Americans vs Giants - December 2 - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Chiefs Host Cougars in Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game Saturday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 27 vs Prince Albert - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Look to Continue Winning Ways into Spokane - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Stuck in a Funk in Loss to Cougars - Tri-City Americans
- Wild Fans Toss Bears, Hats as Wenatchee Trounces Portland Friday, 8-3 - Wenatchee Wild
- Rockets Shut Down Giants - Vancouver Giants
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.
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