WHL Kelowna Rockets

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 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
Kelowna Rockets and Dylan Wightman (24) react after his third period goal

(Vancouver Giants)
  



Western Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2023


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