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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Preview: Americans at Rockets

February 20, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets right wing Marcus Pacheco
Kelowna Rockets right wing Marcus Pacheco
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets will face the Tri-City Americans in their final matchup of the season on the Family Day Monday at Prospera Place, puck drop is set for 2:05 pm - doors will open at 1:00 pm.

For the first time before the holiday break, the Rockets will host a crowd that will allow for 100 percent capacity,

The Rockets will wear their black third jerseys for Monday's matchup.

Kelowna was last in action over the weekend, collecting a pair of 3-2 victories on Friday and Saturday at the CN Centre in Prince George.

In Saturday's victory, Turner McMillen got the Rockets on the board first. Prince George tied things up in the second period and the two headed into the third tied at one. Jake Lee and Gabriel Szturc pushed the Rockets out to a two-goal lead in the final frame. The Cougars got one back in the final minutes of the game. Talyn Boyko picked up his 20th win of the season, stopping 26 of the 28 shots he faced.

The Americans downed the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 in overtime on Saturday at the Toyota Centre in Kennewick. Up by two goals in the third period, the Chiefs caught up to the Ams, forcing overtime. Connor Bouchard netted the game-winner while on the power play 2:01 into extra time.

TICKETS

Tickets for all Rockets games are available at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050. Select Your Tickets is open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and opens at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday home game days.

WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE RINK

Trail Appliance's Hot & Cold Game will be played.

ROSTER UPDATES

The Rockets will continue to be without right-winger Jake Poole (appendicitis).

THE LAST TIME THESE TWO MET

The Kelowna Rockets came back to down the Tri-City Americans 5-4 in overtime on February 12th at Prospera Place. Assistant captain Pavel Novak earned first star honours after posting a four-point night, that included a hat trick capped off in overtime. Goaltender Jari Kykkanen's made 30 saves on 34 shots fired on him through 60:37 of action. Andrew Cristall dished the puck over to Novak (22), completing the hat trick and lifting the Rockets past the Americans a minute into overtime.

WHO TO WATCH

Kelowna

Pavel Novak has 17 points (7G, 10A) in five career games against the Americans. He registered a career-high five points (1G, 4A) back on February 12, 2020. The last time these two met, Novak had a hat trick and an assist.

Talyn Boyko has not had the chance to face his former team since being dealt to the Rockets earlier this season. Jari Kykkanen has made both starts against the Ams. Boyko started both games against Prince George on Friday and Saturday, he now has 20 wins on the season - 19 of those for the Rockets.

B.C. DIVISION STANDINGS

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Kamloops Blazers 49 34 13 2 0 70

2 Kelowna Rockets 44 28 12 1 3 60

3 Prince George Cougars 49 19 27 2 1 41

4 Vancouver Giants 45 19 24 2 0 40

5 Victoria Royals 48 13 30 4 1 31

U.S. DIVISION STANDINGS

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 x - Everett Silvertips 48 35 7 2 4 76

2 Portland Winterhawks 49 31 13 3 2 67

3 Seattle Thunderbirds 46 30 11 4 1 65

4 Tri-City Americans 47 14 28 5 0 33

5 Spokane Chiefs 47 13 29 4 1 31

as of Sunday afternoon

SEASON SERIES

vs TRI-CITY (2-0-0-0)

Feb. 5 @ Tri-City 6-1 W

Feb. 12 vs Tri-City 5-4 OTW

Feb. 21 vs Tri-City 7:05 PM

ONLINE 50/50

The Kelowna Rockets online 50/50 is back for the 2021-22 season!

The online 50/50 will give fans in Rockets fans located in British Columbia and those who are attending the game the chance to win during every Rockets home game this season. The 50/50 will also raise important dollars for the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association.

Tickets will be available for purchase on all game days starting at 9 a.m. PT and end at the start of the third period on the same day.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the online 50/50 and purchase tickets.

LINEUP SHEETS + GAME DAY PROGRAM

Due to Covid-19 protocols, printed lineup sheets will not be available at games for fans this season. They can be accessed online in the game day program.

The program will be uploaded by 3 p.m. on game day.

JDS PROJECTED LINEUP

The Rockets will post the JDS Mining Projected Lineup complete with line combos at least half an hour prior to puck drop for all games this season. You will be able to find the graphic on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stories.

All fans attending Rockets games will need to abide by the BC Provincial Health Authority, Prospera Place and the Western Hockey League's recently announced COVID-19 health and safety requirements which includes masks, double vaccination and their vaccine card.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets right wing Marcus Pacheco
Kelowna Rockets right wing Marcus Pacheco
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2022


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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