WHL Kelowna Rockets

Preview: Rockets Vs Giants

November 2, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets left wing Liwiski
Kelowna Rockets left wing Liwiski
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

The Kelowna Rockets will play their first weeknight game of the season when they host the Vancouver Giants Wednesday night at Prospera Place.

After suffering back-to-back losses to the Giants, the Rockets rebounded with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Victoria Royals on Saturday night at Prospera Place. Mark Liwiski found the back of the net for the first time this season, while Pavel Novak netted his second WHL hat-trick. Jake Poole lifted the Rockets past the Royals with 18 seconds remaining in overtime. Netminder Colby Knight made 20 saves to pick up his second win of the season.

The Giants have been off since last Friday when they downed the Rockets 7-2 at the Langley Events Centre. Vancouver's special teams went to work against Kelowna, their power play posted four goals, while the penalty kill chipped in another two.

This is their third straight game against the Rockets for the well-rested Giants, the other meeting came on Saturday, October 23 where the Rockets were shutout 2-0.

Kelowna has been without defenceman Elias Carmichael since last week, he was added to the Rockets Injury Report last week with a lower-body injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kelowna:

Forward Jake Poole played the hero in overtime for the Rockets the other night with his first career WHL game-winning goal. The 19-year-old has five points (3G, 2A) through six games this season.

After being held pointless in the Rockets last three games, Mark Liwiski came alive for the Rockets on Saturday. The 20-year-old fired five shots on net while posting a goal and a pair of assists.

Vancouver:

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jesper Vikman has a record of 4-1-0-0, including a pair of shutouts. The Swedish product, who was selected 8th overall in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, has a 2.20 GAA and .914 SAV%.

Fabian Lysell, the Boston Bruins first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, posted a goal and three assists against the Rockets on Friday, October 29, 2021. He has eight points (2G, 6A0 through five games.

B.C. DIVISION STANDINGS

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Kamloops Blazers 9 8 1 0 0 16

2 Prince George Cougars 9 5 4 0 0 10

3 Vancouver Giants 5 4 2 o 0 8

4 Kelowna Rockets 6 3 3 0 0 6

5 Victoria Royals 12 1 10 0 0 2

as of Tuesday afternoon

SEASON SERIES vs VANCOUVER (0-2-0-0)

Oct. 23 @ Vancouver 2-0 L

Oct. 29 @ Vancouver 7-2 L

Nov. 3 vs. Vancouver 7:05 PM

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 7:30 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

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets left wing Liwiski
Kelowna Rockets left wing Liwiski
(Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2021


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.

OurSports Central