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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Win, 5-2, Over Giants

January 20, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets' Ethan Neutens in action
Kelowna Rockets' Ethan Neutens in action
(Kelowna Rockets, Credit: Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

The Kelowna Rockets opened their weekend with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Giants on Friday night at Prospera Place.

The Giants quickly put the puck into the Rockets net but it was waved off due to a high stick, once again the Giants struck moments later to take the opening lead of the game.

"We were never really out of it," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame interview. "We had some real good looks, at times we got a little scrambly in our own zone but we sacrificed at the right times and we got some real big saves from Jake as well. It was just a matter of time I felt that five-on-five we were going to start putting pucks in the net."

Jake Pilon made 24 saves on 26 shots to record his fifth win of the year.

Tij Iginla was named the game's first star after recording the game-winner and picking up his second hat trick of the season. Iginla now sits at 31 goals on the season, he will participate in the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m. PT.

"It was nice to get a couple there," said Iginla in his postgame interview. "Scoring goals is a lot of fun, so hopefully I can keep doing it."

The Rockets won't have to wait long to see the Giants, the two will face off again at 2:00 pm on Saturday in Langley.

"You've gotta rest up, you'll learn from the good," said Mallette on what he will tell his team for the rematch. "Obviously, take some of the stuff that we need to improve on and just be ready for an early game on Sunday."

GAME SUMMARY

Cameron Schmidt batted the puck out of mid-air into the Rockets net in the opening minutes of the game, but it was immediately waived off due to a high stick. After sneaking behind the Rockets defence, Schmidt (11) found the back of the net again, this time it was a good goal on a breakaway at 4:56. Tij Iginla skated from behind the goal line, spinning around in the left faceoff circle he backhanded a shot toward the Vancouver net that Andrew Cristall (27) was able to get his stick on in front of the net.

While shorthanded Ethan Neutens (6) gave the Rockets their first lead of the game, beating Matthew Hutchison post and in with the lone goal of the second period.

Calgary Flames prospect and Giants captain Samuel Honzek (5) ripped a one-timer from the right faceoff circle to tie the game on the man advantage 7:33 into the third period. Just past the midway point of the frame Tij Iginla (29) picked up the puck along the boards in his zone and carried it up into the Giants zone, working his way through two defenders he knifed the puck through Hutchison's five-hole to restore the Rockets lead. Under two minutes later Iginla (30) added to the Rockets lead with their second shorthanded goal of the game. In the dying minutes, Iginla (31) was able to put the puck into the empty net to collect his second hat-trick of the season.

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 21-19-2-0

Kelowna's power play was 0/1 on the night, while Vancouver was 1/5 with the man advantage

The Rockets outshot the Giants 35-26

Rockets leading scorer Andrew Cristall extended his point streak to twenty-three games

This was the third of eight meetings between the two, with the Rockets leading the season series 3-0

UP NEXT

Kelowna and Vancouver will face off again at 2:00 pm on Sunday in Langley. Rockets are broadcast on 104.7 FM the Lizard this season with Regan Bartel calling all of the action. All Rockets games are streamed on WHL Live, visit watch.chl.ca for complete details and subscription options.

The Rockets next home game is set for Wednesday, January 24 when they'll host the Everett Silvertips at Prospera Place. It will also be a Fan First Menu game with $2 hot dogs and $5 Lucky Lager. The Fan First Menu is available at all Monday to Wednesday regular season games.

Single Game Tickets for all Rockets games can be purchased:

Online at selectyourtickets.com

By calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050

Or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics




Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets' Ethan Neutens in action
Kelowna Rockets' Ethan Neutens in action
(Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)		   



Western Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2024


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