Game Notes: Blazers at Rockets
Kelowna Rockets vs Kamloops Blazers |
Date | Time | Fri, Dec. 27, 2019 | 7:05 pm |
Tickets | Select Your Tickets |
Video Stream | WHL Live |
Radio | AM 1150, pregame at 6:30 pm |
Live Stats | WHL Box Score |
Live Updates | @Kelowna_Rockets Twitter |
Next Game | Sat, Dec. 28 at VAN – 7:00 pm |
TEAM NOTES PREPARED BY REGAN BARTEL OF AM 1150
Tonight’s Preview: Welcome back to the unofficial second half of the season for the Kelowna Rockets. The team has played 32 games to this point, sporting a record of 18-11-1-2. That is good for second place in the BC Division, 6 points back of first place Kamloops in the BC Division (Rockets have one game in hand) and three points up on third place Victoria (Royals have one game in hand). The Rockets face the Kamloops Blazers tonight in the 6th time this season. The Rockets are just 1-3-1-0 in the five previous games, with three of them decided by a single goal including a 4-3 win back on November 16th. The Rockets are in a portion of their schedule playing six consecutive home games against teams in the BC Division. After tonight’s game, the team is in Vancouver (Langley) tomorrow night before welcoming Prince George Monday (7 P.M) December 30th.
Kamloops Blazers (21-9-2-1 – 45 points)
1st in B.C. Division | 3rd in Western Conference Power Play: 38/157 – 24.2% (4th in WHL) Penalty Kill: 16/133 – 88.0% (1st in WHL) Last Ten: 6-1-2-1 Streak: 6-0-2-1 GF: 132 GA: 84 PIM: 407 |
Kelowna Rockets (18-11-1-2 – 39 points)
2nd in B.C. Division | 5th in Western Conference Power Play: 29/147 – 19.7% (13th in WHL) Penalty Kill: 27/139 – 80.6% (9th in WHL) Last Ten: 6-3-0-1 Streak: 0-1-0-0 GF: 95 GA: 92 PIM: 425 |
Senior Citizens Settle in: The two newest members of the team made their home debuts before the Christmas break. Matthew Wedman, acquired in a trade with Seattle December 5th, showcased his talents in front of the home town faithful on December 18th. The 20-year-old led the T-Birds in scoring last season with 40+37=77 and played 275 games in a Seattle uniform. Twenty-year-old d-man Conner McDonald also made his debut December 18th with three assists in a 4-3 loss to visiting Vancouver. McDonald was obtained from the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday night. McDonald scored 19 goals back on the blue-line last season, which was the second-highest total only behind Giants rearguard Bowen Byram.
The Price is Right: The Rockets also completed a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors November 24th by acquiring 20-year-old Jadon Joseph. Joseph was a member of the Vancouver Giants last season that went all the way to the WHL final. Joseph has 58 games of playoff experience under his belt, the most on the Rockets roster.
Broadcasters Notebook: Nolan Foote is playing for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships, becoming the 18th player in the organization to do so….10 of the Rockets last 11 games have been decided by one goal…The Rockets have played in 18-1 goal games this season, the most in the WHL…. Roman Basran was named the WHL Eli Wilson goaltender of the week in back-to-back weeks ending December 1st…Nolan Foote was named the 25th captain in franchise history (Tacoma/Kelowna) October 18th…The Rockets have played in a Western Conference high 19 road games.