Game Notes: Rockets at Vancouver – Mar. 28/21

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TEAM NOTES PREPARED BY ROCKETS COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

• Freeview: WHL fans can look forward to taking in games across the whole league through the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca. Opening weekend in the RE/MAX Hub Centres features all five teams in action. All opening weekend games will be available for freeview on WHL Live on CHL TV. The game will also be broadcast on AM 1150.

• Tonight’s Preview: Kelowna hits the road for their first game in Kamloops at the Sandman Centre this season, where they’ll face the Vancouver Giants. Vancouver and Prince George will both be calling the RE/MAX Hub Centre in Kamloops home. Kelowna is coming off of a 5-0 victory over the Victoria Royals on Friday night, that saw four Rockets have multipoint nights, Cole Schwebius turned aside 19 shots to pick up his second career shutout. The Rockets were 2-4-0 against the Giants last year, winning both of their games in extra time. Vancouver said goodbye to star defenceman Bowen Byram, Colorado’s 4^th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft cracked their roster. The Giants opened their season on Friday night, dropping the 7-3 decision to the Blazers.

• Here come the rookies: In Friday night’s opener, the Rockets had six rookies and one affiliate player in the lineup. 2005 born Andrew Cristall made his WHL debut, picking up a pair of assists on both of Alex Swetlikoff’s goals. Steel Quiring netted the Rockets first goal of the season and first of his WHL career. Nolan Flamand and Turner McMillen both found the score sheet, picking up their first WHL points with assists. Centreman Dylan Wightman went 50% in the faceoff dot, winning 7 of 14 draws taken. John Babcock might only be 16, but the 6’0, 200-pound defenceman held his own throughout the night.

• Who will score: With Matthew Wedman, Nolan Foote and Kyle Topping all moving on to play pro hockey and the absence of last year’s leading scorer, Pavel Novak, it was wondered who would score this season. If the first game was any indication, it’s that the Rockets veterans will take the next step in becoming more consistent scorers. Alex Swetlikoff picked up first star honours after netting two goals. Jake Lee and Elias Carmichael found the back of the net, showing that the Rockets have firepower from the blueline. Kelowna’s defencemen fired 15 of the Rockets 35 shots on goal.

• Starters/scratches and line combos will be posted to the Rockets Twitter and Facebook at least 30 minutes prior to puckdrop 

Standings/rankings through Saturday night