Preview: Americans at Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets should hopefully have a pair of reinforcements back in the lineup when they host the Tri-City Americans tomorrow night for Hat-Trick Wednesday at Prospera Place.
Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton announced yesterday that forward Matthew Wedman (lower-body) and Devin Steffler (lower-body) could potentially make their return to the lineup tomorrow.
Captain Nolan Foote (lower-body) and forward Michael Farren (upper body) could return to action this weekend when the Rockets host the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday. Sean Comrie and Liam Kindree remain sidelined with upper-body injuries.
The Rockets were last in action on Saturday night where they fell 4-2 to the WHL leading Portland Winterhawks. Assistant captain Kyle Topping scored both goals for the Rockets in the losing effort.
The injury-riddled Tri-City Americans also last played on Saturday, they were shutout 6-0 by the Spokane Chiefs. They were also blanked 5-0 the night before by the Everett Silvertips.
Tomorrow's Hat-Trick Wednesday! 🌭🥤🏒
Grab the Hat-Trick deal from Select Your Tickets before 2:00 p.m. on game day to get a pop and hotdog with your seat for only $19.99 (plus taxes and fees).
🎟➡️ https://t.co/6UUT1faIGW pic.twitter.com/VCuGAXnHRF
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 11, 2020
B.C. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | Kamloops Blazers | 52 | 32 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 68 |
| 2 | Victoria Royals | 51 | 28 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 61 |
| 3 | Vancouver Giants | 50 | 25 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 55 |
| 4 | Kelowna Rockets | 51 | 23 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 49 |
| 5 | Prince George Cougars | 51 | 16 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 39 |
U.S. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | x – Portland Winterhawks | 51 | 37 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 81 |
| 2 | Everett Silvertips | 50 | 34 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 72 |
| 3 | Spokane Chiefs | 52 | 30 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 65 |
| 4 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 51 | 21 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 48 |
| 5 | Tri-City Americans | 50 | 15 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 35 |
2019-2020 record vs. Tri-City Americans: 3-0-0-0
Oct. 2, 2019: TC 1 at KEL 6
Nov. 23, 2019: KEL 2 at TC 1
Jan. 5, 2020: KEL 7 at TC 3
Feb. 12, 2020: TC at KEL
The last time these two met:
The Rockets offence exploded for seven goals back on January 5 in Kennewick, WA, downing the Americans 7-3. Four Rockets had multipoint games, Matthew Wedman lead the way with four assists. Cole Schwebius stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced.
Michael Farren and Trevor Wong found the back of the net less than a minute apart early in the second period. Sasha Mutala cut into the lead, but the Rockets responded with three straight goals. Tri-City clawed back with a pair of goals, but Kelowna answered with another two goals to restore the four-goal lead.
Players to watch
Kelowna
- Matthew Wedman is expected to return to the Rockets lineup, the 20-year-old assistant captain had four assists in the Rockets previous meeting against the Ams.
- Overage forward Kyle Topping has found a groove since returning to the Rockets lineup after suffering a broken ankle, he has five points in his last six games. Topping scored both goals for the Rockets in their 4-2 Saturday night loss to the Winterhawks.
Tri-City
- Colorado Avalanche prospect Sasha Mutala leads the Ams in scoring with 54 points (19G, 35A) in 49 games.
- Former Rocket Jadon Joseph was dealt to Tri-City ahead of the January 1o deadline.
Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050. Purchase the Hat-Trick deal before 2:00 p.m. on game day to receive a pop and hot dog along with your ticket for only $19.99 (plus taxes and fees).
