Rockets Clinch WHL BC Division Crown
The Kelowna Rockets clinched the Western Hockey League BC Division title with a weekend sweep of the Vancouver Giants, claiming its second straight division title and third in four years.
The Rockets improved to 52-9-0-4 on the season and cannot be caught atop the BC division standings with seven games remaining in the WHL season. The 52 wins also tied a franchise record.
“Three division titles in four years, unreal feeling,” said Rockets netminder Jordon Cooke after the Rockets 3-1 win in Vancouver on Saturday night.
“Back to back division titles, so proud of the team,” said Tyrell Goulbourne.
The Rockets win in Vancouver on Saturday night continued a season in which the Rockets have been incredibly consistent. The club has already established a new record for wins on the road with its 27th in Vancouver. Kelowna still has three games left on the road and sits just two road wins shy of the WHL record of 29, set last season by the Portland Winterhawks.
Kelowna has also equaled its franchise record for wins in a season with 52 and still has seven regular season games left in the season.
“To get to 52 wins last season was pretty special,” said Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert. “For this group to get win 52 this weekend, having played four games in five nights, is a huge credit to our players.”
Kelowna won the BC division title last season with a 52-16-3-1 record and also claimed the title in 2010-11 with a 43-28-0-1 record.
This year the club sits in first place overall in the WHL with a 52-9-0-4 record with still two weeks remaining in the season. They have a nine point lead on Portland for first overall.
