Preview: Rockets look to secure playoff spot this weekend
The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to jump back into the win column and secure a playoff position this weekend when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Rockets will battle the Thunderbirds on Friday night before the Hurricanes roll in on Saturday night, puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. both nights.
Kelowna has had the week off, their last game was a 4-1 loss to the Everett Silvertips on Saturday night in Everett. Jonas Peterek scored the lone goal.
The Rockets will be without Nolan Foote (lower-body/week-to-week), Liam Kindree (upper-body/six-to-seven weeks), Michael Farren (upper-body/week-to-week), Sean Comrie (upper-body/sixteen weeks).
Dillon Hamaliuk could return to the lineup this weekend, the San Jose Sharks prospect is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He missed Saturday night’s game after leaving Friday night’s contest with an injury.
Seattle also last played on Saturday night, falling 6-3 to the Portland Winterhawks.
The Hurricanes kicked off their visit to the B.C. Division last night with 2-0 loss to the Prince George Cougars.
Kelowna could have secured a playoff position last night if the Cougars had lost to the Hurricanes in any fashion.
Lethbridge will face the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night before heading to Kelowna.
B.C. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | X – Kamloops Blazers | 59 | 38 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 80 |
| 2 | X – Vancouver Giants | 60 | 32 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 69 |
| 3 | X – Victoria Royals | 61 | 31 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 69 |
| 4 | Kelowna Rockets | 60 | 27 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 60 |
| 5 | Prince George Cougars | 60 | 18 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 44 |
U.S. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | X – Portland Winterhawks | 61 | 43 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 93 |
| 2 | X – Everett Silvertips | 60 | 44 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 92 |
| 3 | X – Spokane Chiefs | 61 | 38 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 81 |
| 4 | Seattle Thunderbirds | 60 | 23 | 30 | 4 | 3 | 53 |
| 5 | Tri-City Americans | 60 | 17 | 37 | 4 | 2 | 40 |
Central Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | X – Edmonton Oil Kings | 62 | 41 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 92 |
| 2 | X – Lethbridge Hurricanes | 61 | 37 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 81 |
| 3 | X – Medicine Hat Tigers | 60 | 38 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 79 |
| 4 | X – Calgary Hitmen | 62 | 35 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 75 |
| 5 | Red Deer Rebels | 59 | 22 | 32 | 2 | 3 | 49 |
| 6 | Swift Current Broncos | 60 | 10 | 46 | 1 | 3 | 24 |
2019-2020 Season Series vs. Seattle Thunderbirds: 3-0-0-0
Oct. 11, 2019: KEL 8 at SEA 3
Nov. 22, 2019: KEL 3 at SEA 2
Jan. 24, 2020: SEA 2 at KEL 3 OT
Mar. 6, 2020: SEA at KEL
2018-2019 Season Series vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes: 0-1-0-0
Dec. 12, 2020: KEL 1 at LET 5
Players to watch
Kelowna
- The Rockets called up prospect Nolan Flamand yesterday, he’s expected to make his WHL debut this weekend. Flamand was selected 27th overall by Kelowna during the second round at the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. The 2004 born forward had 51 points (8G, 43A) in 43 games this season with the Saskatoon Blazers of the SMHL. He picked up another six points in four playoff games with the Blazers. With Saskatoon’s season coming to an end earlier this week, the 16-year-old is now eligible to play in more than five WHL games for Kelowna
- The Rockets acquired former Seattle Thunderbirds captain Matthew Wedman on December 5. Wedman scored the overtime winner against the Thunderbirds back on Jan. 24.
Seattle
- Overage centreman Andrej Kukuca leads the T-Birds in scoring with 55 points (24G, 31A) in 60 games.
- Forward Conner Roulette is third in Seattle scoring and eighth in league rookie scoring. The 16-year-old has put up 51 points (19G, 18A) in 51 games.
Lethbridge
- Dylan Cozens was drafted seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres at the 2019 NHL Draft last June. The Whitehorse, YT product leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 81 points (36G, 45A) in 49 games this season.
- Minnesota Wild prospect Calen Addison has 50 points (10A, 40A) in 47 games this season.
Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
