Rockets Sweep Blazers and Advance to the Second Round
WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Sweep Blazers and Advance to the Second Round

Published on April 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets left wing Tomas Poletin
Kelowna Rockets left wing Tomas Poletin
(Kelowna Rockets)

The Kelowna Rockets became the first team in the WHL to punch their ticket to the second round, completing a commanding series sweep of the Kamloops Blazers with a 6-2 victory Wednesday night. Vojtech Cihar led the way once again with two goals, capping off a dominant series in which he recorded six goals and ten points in just four games. Keith McInnis also contributed offensively, picking up a pair of assists in the win.

GAME SUMMARY

The opening frame was a very tight checking as the Blazers controlled most of the play. It took just 2:04 for Tommy Lafreniere (1) to capitalize on the powerplay and give Kamloops a 1-0 lead.

Kelowna responded late in the period, finding some life before the intermission. Vojtech Cihar (5) buried a rebound at 18:19 to tie the game 1-1, with Tij Iginla and Keith McInnis picking up the assists. Despite the goal, it was an off period for the Rockets, who were outshot 17-8.

The second period saw a much stronger push from Kelowna as they flipped the momentum. Hayden Paupanekis (1) struck on the powerplay at 4:06 with a wicked shot to give the Rockets their first lead at 2-1. Keith McInnis and Parker Alcos added assists. Later in the frame, Dawson Gerwing (2) continued his hot streak, scoring for the second straight game at 16:30 to extend the lead to 3-1. Nate Corbet and Hiroki Gojsic were credited with the helpers. The Rockets carried that 3-1 advantage into the second intermission.

In the third, Kelowna pulled away for good. Tomas Poletin (1) scored in tight off a turnover from the Blazers goaltender just 4:26 into the period, making it 4-1. Vojtech Cihar then added his second of the night at 6:47 to push the lead to 5-1. The Blazers answered with Tommy Lafreniere's (2) second of the game to cut it to 5-2, but that was as close as they would get. With under three minutes remaining, captain Carson Wetsch (2) sealed the win-and the series-with a goal at 17:16, assisted by Rowan Guest.

The Rockets finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blazers went 1-for-2.

Goaltender Harrison Boettiger was solid once again, stopping 31 of 33 shots in the victory. He closed out the series with a perfect 4-0 record, along with an impressive 2.00 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.

ADDITIONAL STATS

Shots on Goal: Kelowna 30 | Kamloops 33

Power Play: Kelowna 1/3 | Kamloops 1/2

Faceoffs: Kelowna 22 | Kamloops 35

UP NEXT

The Rockets will now wait to find out who they will play in the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics

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Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets right wing Ryan Oothoudt
Kelowna Rockets right wing Ryan Oothoudt
 Kelowna Rockets left wing Tomas Poletin
Kelowna Rockets left wing Tomas Poletin
  



Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2026


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