Rockets set to wrap up Christmas road trip
The Kelowna Rockets are hoping that they can round out their Christmas road trip on a high note this weekend with a couple wins in Calgary and Medicine Hat.
The Rockets three-game win streak was snapped Wednesday night with a 5-1 loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. Rookie defenseman, Cayde Augustine says the team is looking to bounce back.
“Last night was a tough game,” said Augustine “We were battling back to backs plus bus travel which is always hard, but we need to put that game behind us and move on. We have two big games here in Calgary and Medicine Hat that are important for us to win, we need to refocus on the task at hand and be ready to go for the next two.”
Augustine hails from Airdrie, Alberta; his family has been in the crowd supporting the Rockets on the road. He’s especially looking forward to tomorrow’s game in Calgary.
“My family has been at all of the games so far on this road trip. I have a lot of family and friends coming to watch me play in my hometown tomorrow. It’s exciting because my family doesn’t get the chance to come to very many games in Kelowna, so when they get the chance to see me play it’s really special for me and them; they are my biggest supporters and get me through a lot. The game tomorrow is going to be one of the most special ones of my career, not only because I grew up watching hockey at the Saddledome, but also because all of my friends and family will get to watch. I’m very excited,” said Augustine.
Kelowna will take on the Calgary Hitmen Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome, puck drop is 6:00 pm PT. This is the only time that two will see each other during the regular season this year.
Last season they split the two games they faced off against one another. Calgary defeated the Rockets 4-3 at Prospera Place on October 17, 2017, Kelowna then took the next game 3-1 at the Saddledome on January 7th, 2018.
Kelowna currently sits second in the B.C. Division with a record of 15-16-2-0 and 32 points. They’re seven points ahead of the fifth-place Prince George Cougars, five points in front of the fourth-place Kamloops Blazers and three points in front of the third place Victoria Royals. The Rockets trail the division-leading Vancouver Giants by 12 points, they have a 21-6-2-0 record.
Calgary has a record of 14-14-2-1 and 31 points, placing them fourth in the Central Division. They’re four points back of the third place Medicine Hat Tigers, who the Rockets will play on Saturday. The Lethbridge Hurricanes and Edmonton Oil Kings are tied for second with 38 points. Meanwhile, the Red Deer Rebels lead the conference with 42 points and a record of 20-9-2-0.
Before heading home for Christmas the Rockets will play the Tigers, puck drop is 6:30 pm PT.
This will also be the only time that Kelowna will see the Tigers this season unless they meet in the playoffs. The Rockets took all three games they played against each other last season. Kelowna and goaltender, Roman Basran shut out the Tigers 4-0 on November 25th, 20,17 at Prospera Place. The Rockets then squeaked out an overtime 4-3 overtime victory off the stick of former Captain, Cal Foote at the Canalta Centre on January 26th, 2018. Kelowna later claimed their third victory on home ice, a 5-2 victory on January 30th.
Following the break, the Rockets will play a home and home with the Kamloops Blazers starting on the road at the Sandman Centre on Friday, December 28th. The Rockets will host the Blazers the next night at Prospera Place. Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
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