WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Look To Get Back Into Series On Home Ice

April 25, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillan controls a puck along the boards vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds
Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillan controls a puck along the boards vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Paige Bednorz)

The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to gain back some ground in their opening-round series against the Seattle Thunderbirds when they host the T-Birds on Tuesday and Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The Rockets trail 2-0 in the series following a 6-0 loss in the opening game of the series on Friday and a 7-3 loss in game two on Saturday in Kent, Wash.

"We're excited to be back at home. We've had great success here this season and we'd like to continue that here in the playoffs," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette when asked about being back in Kelowna and what the Rockets need to do to be successful.

"I think we need to obviously skate and stay disciplined. We need to trust our system and our process, and understand that we're a very good hockey club."

It's the first playoff games to be played at Prospera Place since 2018 when the Rockets faced the Tri-City Americans.

Historically, the Rockets have been in this position before with the T-Birds, they fell behind 2-0 to the T-Birds in the opening round of the 2013 WHL Playoffs - dropping their first two games on home ice at Prospera Place. The 2013 squad then fell into a 3-0 hole with another loss, but the Rockets charged back with four straight wins to win the series 4-3.

TICKETS

Fans can purchase their tickets online at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050. The box office is open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and opens at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday home game days.

THE SERIES AT A GLANCE

Best of seven series (0-2-0-0)

Apr. 22 @ Seattle 6-0 L

Apr. 23 @ Seattle 7-3 L

Feb. 26 vs Seattle 7:05 PM TICKETS

Feb. 27 vs Seattle 7:05 PM TICKETS

Feb. 29 @ Seattle If necessary

May 1 vs Seattle If necessary

May 3 @ Seattle If necessary

GAME ONE: The T-Birds took game one 6-0. They dominated the majority of the opening game with aggressive play all night, holding the Rockets to just five shots in the opening period and six in the second frame. Seattle capitalized on the game's first power play, netting the first goal of the series 1:37 into it. Starter Talyn Boyko made 17 saves on 22 shots through 33:45 of action before being relieved by Jari Kykkanen, Kykkanen stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced through 26:17. Seattle outshot the Rockets 34-21.

GAME TWO: The T-Birds secured their second straight win over the Rockets with a 7-3 victory. The Rockets were down by a goal when Seattle scored with 34 seconds left in the second to make it 4-2, the T-Birds then pushed out of the gate with another 17 seconds into the third to give them a commanding 5-2 lead. Adam Kydd, Pavel Novak and Mark Liwiski were the goal scorers for the Rockets, Talyn Boyko stopped 33 of the 40 shots he faced.

WHO TO WATCH

KELOWNA

Adam Kydd led the Rockets in shots on goal in the opening game with five, including two breakaway chances. In the second game, he posted a goal and an assist.

Colton Dach has been held pointless in both games, the Chicago Blackhawks lead the Rockets in shots on goal with eight.

SEATTLE

Forward Jared Davidson led the T-Birds in scoring against the Rockets this season. He's continued that in the postseason, recording seven points (2G, 5A) through two games against Kelowna.

Draft eligible defenceman Kevin Korchinski has posted six points (1G, 5A) against the Rockets through the first two games of the series. The Saskatoon, Sask. product is ranked 20th on NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings for North American skaters ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Goaltender Thomas Milic has been in net for both wins against the Rockets. He's posted a 1.50 GAA and .942 SAV% through 120 minutes of action.

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.

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.

LINEUP SHEETS + GAME DAY PROGRAM

Due to Covid-19 protocols, printed lineup sheets will not be available at games for fans this season. They can be accessed online in the game day program.

The program will be uploaded by 3 p.m. on game day.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillan controls a puck along the boards vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds
Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillan controls a puck along the boards vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds
(Paige Bednorz)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2022


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