WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Get Set to Host Americans & Cougars in Two Game Weekend

Published on October 27, 2017 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Rockets Get Set to Host Americans & Cougars in Two Game Weekend
Rockets Get Set to Host Americans & Cougars in Two Game Weekend
(Kelowna Rockets)

The Kelowna Rockets prepare to host the Tri-City Americans on Friday night at Prospera Place for the first of two opponents visiting the Okanagan this weekend.

Kelowna is coming off of a 7-2 win over the Portland Winterhawks in their Paint the Rink Pink night last Saturday. Assistant Coach Kris Mallette says it was good for the club to be able to get that win over the Hawks.

"On Saturday night our team got off to a great start, and that's something that wasn't the case in prior games against Portland. To get off to that start and then be able to finish against a team that really had our number in the week and a half leading up to Saturday was great. We came out and showed them that when we play as a team we can compete every night," Mallette said. "It's good to be at home getting some down time and to be able to get some good practices under our belts so that we're ready to face another tough opponent in Tri-City."

The Rockets and Americans met once before already this season. On October 17th the Rockets lost 2-1 to the Americans in the Toyota Center in Kennewick, WA.

On Saturday night Kelowna will host the Prince George Cougars for the Halloween Candy Scramble at Prospera Place. There will be over 6000 pieces of candy to be had by kids 12 and under during the second intermission. Fans are encouraged to dress up and show off their halloween costumes.

On the hockey side of things, Kelowna and Prince George have played twice thus far this season with both games being played in Prince George. The Rockets took both of those games in overtime. Kelowna won the first one on October 6th by a score of 7-6 in OT. Then the Rockets beat the Cougars 4-3 in OT the following night.

Mallette believes they'll be facing a different Prince George squad than the one they faced earlier this month, so they'll need to be ready.

"We didn't play our best hockey when we were up there and we were fortunate to be able to come out with those wins," said Mallette. "We know they let a couple of games slip away in their building so they are going to be coming in hungry. We have to make sure we're prepared."

Kelowna comes into Friday night with a record of 5-5-1-1 that gives them 12 points. 12 points ties them for second place in the B.C. Division with the Vancouver Giants as well as their Saturday opponent, the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars record before their Friday night meeting with the Giants is 4-5-2-2.

Tri-City enters Friday night with a record of 9-4-0-0 giving them 18 points, and placing them tied with Portland for first in the U.S. Division, one point ahead of the Spokane Chiefs.

The Rockets hit the road following this weekend for a three game trip. Their first stop is in Tri-City for a rematch with the Americans on Wednesday, November 1st, 2017. The next stop is in Victoria where the Rockets play back-to-back nights against the Royals on November 3rd and 4th.

Kelowna is back home again following this weekend on Friday, November 10th when they host the Vancouver Giants followed by the Red Deer Rebels the very next night.

Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics

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Rockets Get Set to Host Americans & Cougars in Two Game Weekend
Rockets Get Set to Host Americans & Cougars in Two Game Weekend
   



Western Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2017


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