Sports stats



WHL Kelowna Rockets

Preview: Rockets Weekend Games - January 1 & 2

December 31, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets centre Colton Dach
Kelowna Rockets centre Colton Dach
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to extend their four-game win streak this weekend when they host the Victoria Royals on Saturday, then head to Langley where they'll face the Vancouver Giants on Sunday.

Puck drop for Saturday's contest at Prospera Place is set for 4:05, Sunday's game on the road is set to start at 4:00p.m.

Kelowna blasted past the Kamloops on Wednesday night in a 6-2 victory at Prospera Place. Six different marksmen found the back of the net for the Rockets; Andrew Cristall, Mark Liwiski, Jake Poole, Steel Quiring, Gabriel Szturc and Tyson Feist. Cristall was named the first star of the night after posting a three-point night (1G,2A), Talyn Boyko stopped 35 shots to earn second-star honours and his tenth win of the season.

The Royals were last in action on Thursday where they capped off three straight wins over the Vancouver Giants with a 7-3 win on the island. They will be well-rested for Sunday's contest as they're off until the game with the Rockets.

Pavel Novak has returned to Kelowna following the premature end of the World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alta. Novak posted a goal and an assist through two games with the Czech Republic.

It's expected that both Novak and Colton Dach will return to Kelowna's lineup this weekend, the pair skated during Friday's practice. Dach was scratched for the Rockets first two games following the holiday break.

TICKETS

With capacity at 50 percent, limited single-game tickets remain.

Tickets for Saturday's game and all other 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.

THE LAST TIME THESE TWO MET

VERSUS VICTORIA

The Rockets snapped a four-game winless streak, kicking off their latest win streak, with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Victoria Royals back on December 14th at Prospera Place. In his final game before departing for the World Junior Championship, Pavel Novak won the game for the Rockets in the final minute of overtime. Talyn Boyko made 43 saves on 47 shots, he faced 18 shots alone in the third period. Noah Dorey posted a pair of goals, while Dylan Wightman, Steel Quiring and Novak all found the back of the net for the Rockets.

VERSUS VANCOUVER

Kelowna suffered their first regulation loss on home ice this season in a 5-3 loss to the Giants on December 1. Boston Bruins 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell put on a show, getting in on four of the five Giants goals (2G, 2A). Vegas Golden Knight prospect Jesper Vikman turned aside 38 of the 41 shots he faced. Mark Liwiski, Colton Dach and Pavel Novak were the goal scorers for the Rockets. Boyko made the start for the Rockets, stopping 19 of the 24 shots fired his way.

WHO TO WATCH

KELOWNA

Netminder Talyn Boyko is now 9-4-0-1 since being acquired by the Tri-City Americans, he has a 2.77 GAA and .920 SAV% over that span.

Rockets leading scorer Pavel Novak is expected to return to the lineup on New Year's Day. The Czech product has 31 points (13G, 18A) through 24 games this season.

VICTORIA

Bailey Peach lit up the score sheet in the last Royals game, notching a hat trick and breaking the Royals franchise record for points in a game with seven.

Swiss product Keanu Derungs posted a pair of goals in Victoria's last game after returning from the World Junior Championship.

B.C. DIVISION STANDINGS

# Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS

1 Kamloops Blazers 29 19 9 1 0 39

2 Kelowna Rockets 27 15 9 0 3 33

3 Vancouver Giants 31 14 16 1 0 29

4 Victoria Royals 29 12 13 4 0 28

5 Prince George Cougars 30 13 16 1 0 27

as of Monday afternoon

SEASON SERIES (3-1-0-0)

Oct. 8 @ Victoria 6-3 L

Oct. 9 @ Victoria 6-4 W

Oct. 30 vs. Victoria 5-4 OTW

Dec. 14 vs. Victoria 5-4 OTW

Jan. 1 vs. Victoria 4:05 PM

Jan. 14 vs. Victoria 7:05 PM

Jan. 15 vs. Victoria 7:05 PM

Jan. 25 @ Victoria 7:05 PM

Jan. 26 @ Victoria 7:05 PM

Mar. 4 vs. Victoria 7:05 PM

Mar. 22 @ Victoria 7:05 PM

Mar. 23 @ Victoria 7:05 PM

Apr. 2 vs. Victoria 7:05 PM

SEASON SERIES vs VANCOUVER (1-3-0-0)

Oct. 23 @ Vancouver 2-0 L

Oct. 29 @ Vancouver 7-2 L

Nov. 3 vs. Vancouver 7-6 OTW

Dec. 1 vs. Vancouver 5-3 L

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

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.

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 centre Colton Dach
Kelowna Rockets centre Colton Dach
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 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