WHL Kelowna Rockets

Preview: Rockets At Cougars

Published on March 15, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets defenceman Marek Rocak
Kelowna Rockets defenceman Marek Rocak
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets will put their three-game win streak on the line on Wednesday night when they wrap up their seasonal series with the Prince George Cougars at 7:00 pm at the CN Centre.

The two didn't have to wait long to see each other again, they faced off last Wednesday at Prospera Place. See below for the recap of their last meeting.

Kelowna had a busy weekend, playing three games in as many nights. They kicked things off with a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win over Vancouver on Friday at Prospera Place. They then headed to the US where they let a 4-0 lead slip away but were able to come away with a 5-4 overtime win over Spokane to secure their spot in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. Kelowna wrapped up the weekend with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Tri-City Americans at the Toyota Centre.

The Cougars also had a three-game weekend that saw them pick up at least a point in every game. They downed the Victoria Royals 8-3 on Friday and 6-3 on Saturday, on Sunday they fell 3-2 in overtime to the Vancouver Giants.

Kelowna's next home game is Saturday, March 18th when they'll host their RE/MAX: Nickelodeon Night for the Children's Miracle Network game. The Rockets will be wearing a special edition SpongeBob SquarePants themed jersey to celebrate the night that will be up for auction during the game. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to the BC Children's Hospital.

Kids tickets for the Rockets final two regular home season games are on sale for $10.00 (plus taxes and fees).

Saturday, March 18 vs Kamloops Blazers

Saturday, March 25 vs Vancouver Giants

The last time these two met

The Prince George Cougars handed the Kelowna Rockets a 6-2 loss on March 8 at Propsera Place.

The Rockets took the lead twice in the second, with the Cougars catching up each time. Tied at two after two periods of play, the Cougars scored five unanswered goals in the third with the game-winner coming on the power play. Kelowna gave up a season-high four power-play goals.

Roster Updates

Ismail Abougouche and Logan Peskett will both miss the remainder of the season with upper-body injuries that required season-ending surgery

Carson Golder's suspension length was updated from TBD on Monday to four games. He has missed the Rockets last two games while awaiting the league's decision, he will be eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday, March 18th.

Players to watch

Kelowna

Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc was named the WHL's Player of the Week for last week on Monday

Rockets leading scorer Andrew Cristall is riding an eight-game point streak that's seen him post 14 points over that span

BC Division standings as of Tuesday afternoon

TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Y-Kamloops Blazers 61 44 11 4 2 94

2 X- Prince George Cougars 63 33 24 6 0 72

3 X-Vancouver Giants 62 25 29 5 3 58

4 X-Kelowna Rockets 63 26 34 3 0 55

5 Victoria Royals 63 15 41 6 1 37

Series at a glance

2022-23 Season Series vs PG (2-5-0-0)

Sept. 30 @ Prince George 6-3 L

Oct. 1 @ Prince George 5-1 W

Nov. 9 vs Prince George 8-6 W

Jan. 10 vs Prince George 3-0 L

Feb. 7 @ Prince George 5-1 L

Feb. 8 @ Prince George 7-2 L

Feb 10 vs Prince George 9-2 L

Mar. 8 vs Prince George 6-2 L

Mar. 15 @ Prince George 7:00 pm

Watch and listen

Radio broadcast

Rockets games will be broadcast on 104.7 FM the Lizard this season with Regan Bartel calling all of the action.

Don't forget to download the RocketFAN app and visit rocketfan.ca for more exclusive Rockets content from Pattison. Fans can stream the radio broadcast of all Rockets games on the app.

Online video stream

All Rockets games will be available on WHL Live. WHL Live on is available to fans anywhere in the world, providing high-quality streaming of WHL games on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV platforms, via mobile with iOS and Android, and on web using Safari or Google Chrome web browsers. Visit watch.chl.ca for complete details and subscription options.

Online 50/50

The Kelowna Rockets online 50/50 is back for the 2022-23 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.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics

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Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets defenceman Marek Rocak
Kelowna Rockets defenceman Marek Rocak
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2023


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