Sports stats

WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Win 3-2 Over Blazers

January 7, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets' Marek Rocak and Kamloops Blazers' Connor Levis on game night
Kelowna Rockets' Marek Rocak and Kamloops Blazers' Connor Levis on game night
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

The Kelowna Rockets snapped their six-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.

The Rockets took the lead in the first period and then added another two goals in the second to take a 3-0 lead into the final frame The Blazers, who had a goal waved off in the first period, also had a second one waived off in the third due to it not entering the net. They officially made their way onto the score sheet in the third period, adding another while their net was empty.

Andrew Crsitall picked up first-star honours after recording a pair of goals. Goaltender Talyn Boyko stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced to earn third-star honours.

"It was a gusty win," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette. "I thought our players competed for 60 minutes and I'm really, really proud of them. There could've been a lot of excuses, but I thought our guys played very hard."

Seventeen-year-old import pick Marek Rocak made his WHL debut tonight after signing with the Rockets last week.

"He travelled a really long way a few days ago, came in and I think he fit in quite well with our group today. I liked his poise and fundamentals, I think as time goes on he'll be a really good asset for our group."

GAME SUMMARY

The Rockets opened the scoring on a goal from Marcus Pacheco (6) in front of the Blazers net. Kamloops then charged up the ice, putting it into the net but made incidental contact with Rockets starter Talyn Boyko resulting in no goal.

Andrew Cristall (25, 26) scored back-to-back goals two minutes apart to push the Rockets out to a 3-0 lead.

With Noah Dorey sitting in the penalty box, the Blazers again stormed up the ice firing a shot that rang off of both goalposts. The referee signalled it was a good goal, but after review, it was determined that it didn't enter the net. On the ensuing faceoff, Daylan Kuefler (18) got the Blazers onto the board. With their net empty, defenceman Kyle Masters (7) inched Kamloops within one.

ADDITIONAL STATS

Kamloops outshot Kelowna 28-25

The Rockets were 1/2 on the power play, while the Blazers were 1/5

Andrew Cristall was the game's first star, Carson Golder was the second and Talyn Boyko was the third star

The Rockets record is now 13-19-3-0

Marek Rocak made his WHL debut

UP NEXT

The home-and-home series with the Blazers will shift back to Kamloops tomorrow night, puck drop is set for 7:00 pm at the Sandman Centre.

The next Rockets home game is Tuesday, January 10th when the Prince George Cougars visit Prospera Place. It will also be a Fan First Menu night with $2 hot dogs and $5-$6 options from Blue Ribbon. The Fan First Menu is available at all Monday to Wednesday regular season games.

Single-game tickets for Tuesday's game and 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' Marek Rocak and Kamloops Blazers' Connor Levis on game night
Kelowna Rockets' Marek Rocak and Kamloops Blazers' Connor Levis on game night
(Steve Dunsmoor)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Kelowna Rockets Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central