Rockets Take On Pair Of Divisional Foes To Kick Off New Year
January 3, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kayden Longley of the Kelowna Rockets (right) in the faceoff circle
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)
Following a New Year's Eve tilt with the Wenatchee Wild, the Kelowna Rockets will open 2025 with a pair of games against divisional foes - two they've seen in recent weeks. The Rockets will travel to the Sandman Centre for the first time this season to take on the Kamloops Blazers on January 3 rd before returning home to take on the Vancouver Giants at Prospera Place on January 4 th.
The Rockets come into this weekend having lost on New Year's Eve to the Wenatchee Wild by a 6-1 score.
BLAZERS
The Blazers were last in action when they were in Kelowna on December 28 th and have gained three of a possible four points from their two most recent games, falling 4-3 to Vancouver on December 27 th.
GIANTS
Following their meeting with Kelowna on December 29, the Giants have a busy schedule ahead of their visit to Prospera Place. Vancouver is in Victoria on New Year's Eve before hosting the Royals on New Year's Day. They will then host the Wenatchee Wild on January 3 rd before travelling to Kelowna.
ROCKETS ROSTER AND INJURY UPDATE
The Rockets will have some changes to their line up as Caden Price was named to Canada's National Junior Team and will be participating at the 2025 World Juniors while Jakub Stancl and Marek Rocak are with Team Czechia at the tournament which began on December 26th. In a corresponding move the Rockets signed 2006-born Gabriel Guilbault on December 20th while Levi Benson has also returned from injury.
The Rockets will also be out with star forward Tij Iginla for the remainder of the season as it was announced on December 4 th that he underwent successful hip surgery which would sideline him for the rest of the campaign. In 21 games this season Iginla had 14 goals and 32 points.
ROCKETS TO WATCH
Kalder Varga has seemingly found his stride at the Major Junior level, as the 16-year-old forward has scored five of his six goals this season within the last month.
Levi Benson got into his first game in over a month when he suited up against the Blazers on December 28 after being out with a lower body injury.
BLAZER TO WATCH
John Szabo was productive the last time these two rivals met, scoring twice including the game winner.
GIANT TO WATCH
Ty Halaburda has been scoring goals at nearly a point-per-game pace with 24 goals in 26 games. Schmidt has also added 14 assists for 38 on the season.
THE LAST TIME THESE TWO MET
VS KAM
The Rockets and Blazers met in front of a soldout crowd at Prospera Place on December 28 th, a game that Kamloops won 3-1. Kalder Varga opened the scoring before Kamloops scored three unanswered goals for the win.
VS VAN
Vancouver came away victorious in the most recent meeting between the two clubs, winning a tightly contested battle 3-1 on December 29 in Langley. Max Graham tied the game on the power play, but Ty Halaburda scored the game winner shorthanded before tallying the insurance marker with an empty netter.
SEASON RECORD
VS KAM
Dec. 28 vs KAM - 3-1 L
Jan. 3 at KAM - @ 7:00 PM
Jan. 24 at KAM - @ 7:00 PM
Feb. 14 at KAM - @ 7:00 PM
Feb. 15 vs KAM - @ 6:05 PM
Mar. 14 vs KAM - @ 7:05 PM
Mar. 15 at KAM - @ 6:00 PM
Mar. 22 vs KAM - @ 6:05 PM
VS VAN
Nov. 22 vs VAN - 8-3 W
Dec. 29 at VAN - 3-1 L
Jan. 4 vs VAN - @ 6:05 pm
Jan. 11 at VAN - @ 7:00 pm
Jan. 25 vs VAN - @ 6:05 pm
Feb. 21 vs VAN - @ 7:05 pm
Feb. 22 at VAN - @ 7:00 pm
Mar. 23 at VAN - @ 4:00 pm
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.
The Kelowna Rockets are now offering half season tickets for the remainder of the season. Tickets will get you great seats for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign and guarantees your chance to renew for next season which will include the first option to purchase Memorial Cup packages. Those interested in tickets can contact Gavin Hamilton at 250-979-0851 or gavinh@kelownarockets.com.
Images from this story
 Kayden Longley of the Kelowna Rockets (right) in the faceoff circle (Steve Dunsmoor) |
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