WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Stop Giants

February 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets celebrate win
Kelowna Rockets celebrate win
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets took down the Vancouver Giants 5-4 on Friday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC on Friday night.

Vancouver scored two quick goals early in the first period before the Rockets charged back with five unanswered goals. The Giants pushed back with two goals in the third period.

"If you were to look at the first seven minutes of the game, the way we started obviously wasn't ideal," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette.

"I really liked how we finished the first period. I thought the second was really strong, arguably one of our better of the year, which was great because typically it's a lull for us. The decisions we were making as we wore on, and there weren't a ton of them like I said to the group, if we want to turn a corner those soft little hope plays aren't going to cut it."

Carson Golder and Gabriel Szturc both posted a goal and two assists, while Jari Kykkanen made 25 saves on 29 shots.

GAME SUMMARY

Julian Cull (2) opened the game's scoring two minutes into the game. Damian Palmieri's (3) wrap-around power play goal pushed the Giants out to a two-goal lead two and a half minutes later. Adam Kydd (15) standing in front of the net cut the lead in half with a power play goal. Ethan Mittelsteadt (2) tied the game with his first goal in a Rockets uniform.

Gabriel Szturc (13) launched a power play Rocket from the right faceoff circle to give the Rockets their first lead of the game. Carson Golder (20) recovered the puck from his feet while cutting in front of the net to build a two-goal lead for Kelowna.

Scott Cousins set up Jackson DeSouza (6) while in on a two-on-one early in the third. The Giants made a late-game push with a goal from Ethan Semeniuk (9) and a short-handed tally from Jaden Lipinski (16).

ADDITIONAL STATS

Kelowna outshot Vancouver 37-29

Carson Golder was the game's first star, Gabriel Szturc was the second and Adam Kydd was the third star

Kelowna was 2/7 on the power play, while the Giants were 0/4 on the man advantage

The Rockets record is now 16-26-3-0

Andrew Cristall, Ty Hurley, Max Graham, John Babcock and Marek Rocak all missed the game due to injury or illness

Kayden Longley made his WHL debut

UP NEXT

The Rockets will wrap up their three-game homestand on Saturday with a rare visit from the Prince Albert Raiders, puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.

Single-game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale 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.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets celebrate win
Kelowna Rockets celebrate win
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2023


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