WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Fall Again

Published on March 17, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Everett Silvertips' Tarin Smith Kelowna battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
Everett Silvertips' Tarin Smith Kelowna battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

After falling to the Everett Silvertips on Friday in Everett, the Tips handed the Rockets another loss on Saturday, this time by a score of 4-2 at Prospera Place.

The Vancouver Giants, who dropped the Kamloops Blazers 9-2 on Saturday, were able to leapfrog the Rockets for fifth in the Western Conference. The Giants, who have a point up on the Rockets with 68, have a game in hand on Kelowna. They will host the Prince George Cougars tomorrow before wrapping up their regualr season against the Rockets next weekend in a home-and-home series.

Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc recorded a goal and an assist to earn the second star of the game, with the pair of points he hit 200 career points, while setting a new career high with 80.

With Szturc hitting 80 points, for the first time since the 2002-03 season, the Rockets roster features three players who have reached the 80 point mark. Jesse Schultz (104), Kiel McLeod (90), and Tyler Mosienko (83) were the last trio to do it, this season Andrew Cristall (106), Tij Iginla (83) and Gabriel Szturc (80) have all hit the mark.

GAME SUMMARY

While on the penalty kill, the Rockets attempted to clear the puck but it bounced right onto the blade of Austin Roest (36) to open the scoring 2:10 into the game. Gabriel Szturc's power play one timer from the left faceoff circle (31) tied the game less than seven minutes later, but another power play goal, this time from Caden Brown (8) restored the 'Tip's lead. Szturc then fed the puck in tight in front of the net to defenceman Caden Price (12) to tie the game before the end of the fame.

Waiting at the backdoor, Julius Miettinen (30) one-timed Jesse Heslop's pass past Jari Kykkanen with 1:45 left in the second period.

Eric Jamieson (10) shot from the point beat Kykkanen blocker side 19 seconds into the third period to give the 'Tips a two goal cushion.

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 31-30-4-1

Goaltender Jari Kykkanen stopped 33 of the 37 shots fired his way

Kelowna was 1/4 with the man advantage, while the Everett power play went 2/6

The Silvertips outshot the Rockets 37-28

UP NEXT

The Rockets will close out the regular season in a home and home series with the Vancouver Giants next weekend. The series will start Friday in Lanlgey before shifting back to Kelowna on Saturday to wrap up the regular season.

Saturday's game is also Fan Appreciation Night, which will feature: a 50/50 Jackpot that starts at $10,000, jersey off the back giveaway from the players, a team poster giveaway and live music from The Hip Replacements.

Single Game Tickets for all Rockets games can be purchased:

Online at selectyourtickets.com

By calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050

Or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics

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Images from this story

Everett Silvertips' Tarin Smith Kelowna battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
Everett Silvertips' Tarin Smith Kelowna battles Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel Szturc
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2024


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