Rockets with a 7-1 Statement Win Against Chiefs
Published on November 16, 2025 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel O'Brien, Kalder Varga, and Jacob Henderson and Spokane Chiefs' Tristen Buckley on the ice
(Kelowna Rockets)
The Kelowna Rockets delivered arguably their most complete performance of the season on Saturday night, overwhelming the Spokane Chiefs 7-1 at Prospera Place to close out their home weekend on a dominant note.
GAME SUMMARY
The Rockets dictated the pace from the opening puck drop, striking twice in the first period to take early control.
Kelowna opened the scoring at 11:14 when Hayden Paupanekis (3) hammered a one-timer from the left hash marks on the power play, set up by Levi Benson and Jacob Henderson. The lead doubled late in the frame as Tij Iginla (11) buried a one-timer through the pads off a slick backhand pass from Tomas Poletin, with Hiroki Gojsic also drawing an assist.
The Rockets blew the game open in the second period, scoring five times in a span of just under 15 minutes.
Owen Folstrom (3) made it 3-0 at 3:27 with a determined solo effort, winning a puck battle and finishing in tight. Just over a minute later, Hiroki Gojsic (4) ripped a bar-down shot from the high slot to extend the lead. Gojsic added his second of the night at 15:06, finishing a clean 2-on-1 after a perfect feed from Iginla.
Kelowna's powerplay continued to click when Kalder Varga (4) scored at 16:19 on a strange bounce off a Spokane defender. Daniel Pekar (3) capped the Rockets scoring late in the frame, stepping into the slot and blasting a shot off the post and in to make it 7-0.
Spokane broke the shutout in the third with a goal from Tristen Buckley (2), but that was all the Chiefs could muster against Kelowna's structured play.
In goal, Harrison Boettiger was sharp once again, turning aside 21 of 22 shots for his third win of the season.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Shots on Goal: Kelowna 45 | Spokane 22
Power Play: Kelowna 2/3 | Spokane 0/1
Faceoffs: Kelowna 30 | Spokane 35
UP NEXT
The Rockets wrap up their three-in-three stretch on the road Sunday afternoon when they visit the Everett Silvertips. Puck drop is set for 4:05 p.m. at Angel of the Winds Arena. Fans can watch live for free on Victory+ or listen live on 104.7 the Lizard.
Images from this story
 Kelowna Rockets' Gabriel O'Brien, Kalder Varga, and Jacob Henderson and Spokane Chiefs' Tristen Buckley on the ice |
Western Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2025
- Rockets Fall 3-2 in Overtime to Everett - Kelowna Rockets
- Hawks Polish off Perfect Weekend with a Home Ice Victory over Wild - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Hub: November 16 vs Wenatchee - Portland Winterhawks
- Giants Edged by Oil Kings on Saturday - Vancouver Giants
- Sawchyn's Hat-Trick Propels Oil Kings to Eighth Straight Win - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Wenatchee Nabs Overtime Win Saturday Over East Division Leader Prince Albert, 4-3 - Wenatchee Wild
- Americans' Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Penticton - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets with a 7-1 Statement Win Against Chiefs - Kelowna Rockets
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