Rockets Set To Play Home And Home Series With Blazers
Published on January 6, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillen (right) skates against the Kamloops Blazers
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)
The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak when they face the Kamloops Blazers in a home-and-home series this weekend. The two will meet in Kelowna at 7:05 pm on Friday, then faceoff again the next night in Kamloops at 7:00 pm.
Third-period penalties sunk the Rockets in their 4-2 loss on Tuesday night to Victoria. Tied at two headed into the third period, the Royals jumped ahead while on the power play early in the third. The Rockets once again found themselves in the box late in the game, with the Royals striking again this time on a five-on-three power play.
Kamloops was last in action on Wednesday night, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Everett Silvertips on the road. Already playing without Logan Stankoven and Caden Bankier, who are away at the World Juniors, the Blazers were also without veteran forwards Matthew Seminoff and Fraser Minten - both were out with injuries.
The Blazers improved from their honourable mention on week 12 of the 2022-23 Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings, climbing into the tenth spot in the nation on this week's rankings for week 13.
It's expected that Czechia defenceman Marek Rocak will make his WHL debut this weekend, the 17-year-old was selected by the Rockets with the 43rd overall pick in the first round at the 2022 CHL Import Draft in June. The Valasske Klobouky, Czechia product has spent the majority of this season with HC Frýdek-Místek in the men's Czechia2 league, appearing in 14 games.
Tickets
Single-game tickets for Saturday's game and all other Rockets games are available at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.
Mini Packs are now on sale for the 2022-23 season, pick from between a six or twelve-game pack. Click here to learn more about Mini Packs.
The last time these two met
The Rockets and Blazers opened the second half of the season with a home-and-home series against each other on December 27th and 28th.
Kamloops handed the Rockets a 6-4 loss on Friday night, before dropping them 6-2 on Saturday.
Roster Updates
The World Juniors wrapped up with Canada defeating Gabriel Szturc and Czechia in overtime on Thursday night.
Szturc will return to Kelowna late on Frdiay night. Colton Dach, who was injured at the World Juniors on Saturday, will be evaluated by the Chicago Blackhawks medical team before a timeline for his injury can be determined.
Adam Kydd remains sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Players to watch
Kelowna
Ninteen year old centreman Dylan Wightman has been eating up minutes in the top six for the Rockets over the last few weeks, he has seven points (2G, 5A) in his last eight games.
Marek Rocak will make his WHL debut this weekend after spending the first half of the season playing hockey in the men's Czech2 league. The 5'10, 176 pound defenceman has been described as a puck mover.
Kamloops
The Blazers gave up a pair of draft picks to acquire goaltender Matthew Kieper from the Regina Pats earlier this week. The 18-year-old has appeared in 12 games this season, posting a 4-5-0-1 record along with a 4.39 goals against average and .865 SAV%.
Minnesota Wild prospect Kyle Masters leads all Blazers defencemen in scoring with 35 points (6G, 29A) in 33 games. The Blazers acquired the defenceman from the Red Deer Rebels prior to the season starting.
Series at a glance
2022-23 Season Series vs Kamloops
Nov 5 vs Kamloops 3-1 W
Nov. 12 @ Kamloops 6-1 L
Dec. 27 vs Kamloops 6-4 L
Dec. 28 @ Kamloops 6-2 L
Jan. 6 vs Kamloops 7:05 pm
Jan. 7 @ Kamloops 7:00 pm
Mar. 3 @ Kamloops 7:00 pm
Mar. 4 vs Kamloops 7:05 pm
Mar. 17 @ Kamloops 7:00 pm
Mar. 18 vs Kamloops 7:05 pm
Division Standings
BC Division standings
as of Thursday evening
TEAM GP W L OTL SOL PTS
1 Kamloops Blazers 34 21 7 4 2 48
2 Vancouver Giants 36 14 16 4 2 34
3 Prince George Cougars 34 15 16 3 0 33
4 Kelowna Rockets 34 12 19 3 0 27
5 Victoria Royals 37 9 24 3 1 22
Watch and listen
Radio broadcast
Rockets games will be broadcast on 104.7 FM the Lizard this season with Regan Bartel calling all of the action.
Don't forget to download the RocketFAN app and visit rocketfan.ca for more exclusive Rockets content from Pattison. Fans can stream the radio broadcast of all Rockets games on the app.
Online video stream
All Rockets games will be available on WHL Live. WHL Live on is available to fans anywhere in the world, providing high-quality streaming of WHL games on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV platforms, via mobile with iOS and Android, and on web using Safari or Google Chrome web browsers. Visit watch.chl.ca for complete details and subscription options.
Online 50/50
The Kelowna Rockets online 50/50 is back for the 2022-23 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.
Images from this story
 Kelowna Rockets left wing Turner McMillen (right) skates against the Kamloops Blazers (Steve Dunsmoor) |
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