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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Win Second Straight

February 24, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


The Kelowna Rockets opened their weekend by collecting their second win in a row, coming back to down the Vancouver Giants 4-1 at Prospera Place on Friday night.

After falling behind 1-0 late in the third period, the Rockets held the Giants to zero shots on net in the second period.

"I thought that our second was commanding to not give up any shots in that period," said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame interview. "I thought the structure was good and we forced them into some situations that they probably didn't want to be in, so I really liked the push in the second."

Andrew Cristall was named the game's first star after he burst out of the gate with three consecutive goals in the second period to collect his third hat-trick of the season.

"I definitely wanted to come to the game to shoot a lot of pucks," said Cristall when he was asked about his shoot-first mentality in tonight's game. "Maybe the defence was thinking I was going to pass, so sometimes the shot's sometimes there a little bit, so tonight I wanted to go and take it."

GAME SUMMARY

Calgary Flames prospect Samuel Honzek was able to sneak behind the Rockets defence taking off on a breakaway that Jari Kykkanen turned aside, however, Honzek followed his rebound to the left corner. Shooting from the faceoff dot, the puck went off of Connor Levis's (19) skate and into the net at the backdoor, putting the Giants on the board first with 3:57 remaining in the first period. The goal was reviewed but deemed a good goal.

Vancouver took off on a three-on-one while short-handed that Kelowna was able to thwart, with the play turning back up the ice Andrew Cristall (32) skated through the left faceoff circle and then cut through the slot letting a backhand go to tie the game 3:04 into the second period. Cristall (33) struck again 4:48 later while on the power play, the Washington Capitals prospect's shot from the slot went through traffic pinballing its way past Brett Mirwald. Rockets defenceman Carter Kowalyk backhanded the puck from the red line that Cristall (34) picked up along the left wall, shooting from the left faceoff dot the puck squeaked through Mirwald into the net to complete the natural hat trick. Luke Schelter (12) scored the final goal of the game 18:22 into the middle stanza to pad the Rockets lead.

ADDITIONAL STATS

The Rockets record is now 26-28-3-0

Rockets goaltender Jari Kykkanen stopped 19 of 20 shots fired his way to pick up his 21st win of the season

Vancouver was 0/5 with the man advantage, while the Rockets power play went 2/4

The Rockets outshot the Giants 23-20

This was the fifth of eight meetings between the two this season, with Kelowna leading the season series 4-1. The Rockets will face the Giants next on March 1 while on the road.

UP NEXT

Kelowna will hit the ice at Propsera Place again on Saturday when they host the BC Division-leading Prince George Cougars for the RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Nights for Children's Miracle Network game.

This season, Kelowna will wear special edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed jerseys that will be available in an online auction that runs through February 29. Funds raised through RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Night will go towards the Children's Miracle Network. Click here for more information about the game and auction.

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.

Six and twelve game Mini Packs for the Kelowna Rockets season are now on sale through Select Your Tickets.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2024


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