Rockets finish off prairie road trip in two game weekend
The Kelowna Rockets get set to face off against the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night in P.A. before finishing off their six-game prairie road trip in Saskatoon on Saturday night against the Blades.
With Christmas break just days away, how do you keep a group of 16-20 year old boys focused on hockey, and not on the fact that they get to go home in a few days? Assistant Coach Kris Mallette says the coaches remind them of their duties, but it’s up to the guys in the room to keep each other focused.
“I’m certain the players are excited to be with family and friends soon but I’m also certain they want to finish on a positive note. We can only stress the task at hand so much, and it will be up to the players to dig deep and execute over the next two games,” said Mallette. “We know they’re always excited/motivated for every game, so we will need to focus, play with structure, work hard and do it for each other in these next two.”
The Rockets will be without Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and Rockets Captain Cal Foote, Calgary Flames prospect and Rockets Assistant Captain Dillon Dube, and Vancouver Canucks prospect Kole Lind on Friday as all three are currently away at the Canadian National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp in St. Catharines, Ont.. The camp runs December 12th-15th.
This is the first and only meeting between the Rockets and the Raiders this season. These two clubs met once last season on November 12th, 2016 when the Rockets were 7-1 winners at Prospera Place. Puck drop on Friday night is at 5:00pm.
Kelowna and Saskatoon met once last season with the Blades winning that meeting 4-2 on October 14th, 2016 at Prospera Place. Saturday is the only meeting of this season between the two. Puck drop on Saturday is at 5:05pm.
The Rockets enter Friday night with a record of 18-11-2-1. That record gives them 39 points and places them in second in the B.C. Division, four back of the division leading Victoria Royals, but Kelowna has two games in hand on the Royals. The Rockets are five points up on the third place Vancouver Giants.
The Raiders enter Friday night with a 13-13-5-2 record that gives them 33 points placing them fifth in the East Division. The Raiders are one point back of the fourth place Regina Pats, and four points ahead of the sixth place Saskatoon Blades. The Blades enter their Friday night matchup with the Pats with a record of 13-16-2-1 giving them 29 points.
After Saturday night the Rockets players head home for their Christmas break. Kelowna is back in action on December 27th when they host the Kamloops Blazers for some holiday B.C. Division action!
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
