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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Preview: Giants At Rockets - December 1

November 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets defend against the Vancouver Giants
Kelowna Rockets defend against the Vancouver Giants
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets will wrap up a short three-game homestand on Wednesday night when they face off against the Vancouver Giants at Prospera Place at 7:05 p.m.

It's the first game for the Rockets that will allow for 100 percent capacity at Prospera Place since the 2019-20 season.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday that COVID-19 capacity limits will be lifted in the Interior Health region of British Columbia for indoor events and gatherings where proof of vaccination is required.

Kelowna is coming off back-to-back wins over the weekend.

They snapped a three-game skid on Friday night with a 2-1 shootout win over the Spokane Chiefs. Jake Lee scored the lone goal of the game during regulation and Turner McMillen netted the game-winner in the eighth round of the shootout. The Rockets then downed the Prince George Cougars 4-1 on Saturday. Gabriel Szturc, Nolan Flamand, Colton Dach and captain Tyson Feist all found the back of the net for Kelowna. Talyn Boyko started in net both games, picking up a pair of wins.

The Giants will enter Wednesday night's game riding a three-game win streak, picking up a trio of wins against teams from the U.S. Division. They were last in action on Saturday, where they defeated the Spokane Chiefs 3-1 at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

Vancouver will take the long way to Kelowna, due to road closures they'll travel through the U.S. to face the Rockets - adding around five extra hours to their trip.

Affiliate players Grady Lenton and Logan Dochuk were returned to their U18 teams on Sunday.

Andrew Cristall, Caden Price and Kris Mallette are still away at the Capital City Challenge, the tournament wraps up Wednesday night in Ottawa.

Kelowna will also be without forward Rilen Kovacevic, it was announced by the WHL's Discipline yesterday that he has been suspended for one game.

THE LAST TIME THESE TWO MET

In a high scoring affair, Kelowna stormed back from being down 5-4 heading into the third period back on November 3 at Prospera Place. The Rockets found the back of the net twice in the final 11 minutes of regulation to force overtime where Andrew Cristall ended things 2:09 into it.

WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE RINK

Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop pop up barbershop will be taking place on the concourse. Stop by for a shave or trim.

Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop shoot for a shave.

TICKETS

Tickets for all Rockets home games are now 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.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kelowna:

There's no sophomore slump for centre Nolan Flamand. The Rockets second-round pick sits third in team scoring with 15 points (5G, 10A) through 17 games this season. He was named the games second star on Saturday after posting an assist and the game-winning goal.

Goaltender Talyn Boyko's record is now 4-1-0-0, with a .931 SAV% and 2.03 GAA since being acquired by the Tri-City Americans on November 7. He made both starts for Kelowna over the weekend, stopping 71 of the 73 shots he faced.

Vancouver:

Boston Bruins 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell picked up first star honours in the Giants win on Saturday after posting a goal and an assist. Five (1G, 4A) of his 18 points this season have come against Kelowna, including a four-point (1G, 3A) outing back on October 29.

Import netminder Jesper Vikman has started all three games against the Rockets this season. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect has a record of 8-3-1-0, .905 SAV% and 2.90 GAA.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Vancouver Giants (10-7-1-0 - 21 points)

3rd B.C. Division

Power Play: 15/71 - 21.13%

Penalty Kill: 62/76 - 81.58%

Last Ten: 5-5-0-0 Streak: 3-0-0-0

GF: 55 GA: 50

PIM: 241

Kelowna Rockets (10-5-0-2 - 22 points)

2nd B.C. Division

Power Play: 13/55 - 23.64%

Penalty Kill: 52/65 - 80.0%

Last Ten: 6-2-0-2 Streak: 2-0-0-0

GF: 60 GA: 55

PIM: 214

B.C. DIVISION STANDINGS

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Kamloops Blazers 19 17 2 0 0 34

2 Kelowna Rockets 17 10 5 0 2 22

3 Vancouver Giants 18 10 7 1 0 21

4 Prince George Cougars 18 7 11 0 0 14

5 Victoria Royals 16 3 11 2 0 8

as of Tuesday afternoon

SEASON SERIES (1-2-0-0)

Oct. 23 @ Vancouver 2-0 L

Oct. 29 @ Vancouver 7-2 L

Nov. 3 vs. Vancouver 7-6 OTW

Dec. 1 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

Jan. 2 @ Vancouver 4:00 PM

Jan. 7 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

Jan. 22 @ Vancouver 7:05 PM

Jan. 28 @ Vancouver 7:05 PM

Jan. 29 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

Feb. 9 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

Mar. 5 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

Mar. 6 @ Vancouver 4:00 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 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.

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.

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

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets defend against the Vancouver Giants
Kelowna Rockets defend against the Vancouver Giants
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2021


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