Kelowna Rockets take on Lethbridge Hurricanes tonight
Kelowna set to host Lethbridge tonight
The Kelowna Rockets close out a four-game homestand tonight against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Prospera Place. Puck drop is 7:05 p.m. The Rockets have won six a row at home and three straight overall — unbeaten on this homestand after defeating Edmonton, Red Deer and Vancouver, with prior home victories over Prince George, Tri-City and Portland.
That recipe for success might have something to do with the players’ pre-game routine, according to assistant coach Travis Crickard.
“There were a few guys last game that I was questioning what they did before the game, because they came out so fast. Whatever they did to prepare for the game — whether it was a longer nap or a better meal — we need to keep doing that,” Crickard said. “A lot of guys were skating hard and we were reaping the rewards because of it.”
A large key to the Rockets’ 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Tuesday was their work on the dot, Crickard added.
“Faceoffs are key,” he said. “Last game, our team was fantastic at taking draws.
“When you win a faceoff, that means you’re starting with the puck rather than chasing it.”
This is the first of three meetings this season between the Rockets and Hurricanes. They met twice last season, with each team taking a regulation victory.
Kelowna enters tonight with a record of 11-6-2-1 for 25 points — placing the Rockets second in the B.C. Division, four points back of the division-leading Victoria Royals.
Lethbridge enters with a record of 7-10-1-0 for 15 points and fourth place in the Central Division — two points back of the third-place Kootenay Ice.
Following tonight, the Rockets hit the road for three games — starting Saturday in Langley against the Vancouver Giants, who Kelowna edged 5-4 in overtime last Friday.
The Rockets then head to Spokane next Wednesday for their first encounter with the Chiefs — coached by Dan Lambert, who led Kelowna to a WHL championship in 2015.
The Rockets close out that stretch with a return trip to Langley for a rematch with the Giants next Friday, Nov. 24.
Then, on Saturday, Nov. 25, Kelowna hosts the Medicine Hat Tigers — seeing another team for the first time this season.
Rockets’ Zabransky, Topping on watch list for NHL draft
NHL Central Scouting has updated its ‘Players to Watch’ list for November, with Rockets defenceman Libor Zabransky and forward Kyle Topping getting recognition among 38 WHL players and 139 players from across the Canadian Hockey League.
Zabransky, in his first season with Kelowna after being selected 51st overall by the Rockets in this June’s CHL Import Draft, has five points (one goal, four assists) through 20 games.
Topping, a sophomore centre for Kelowna, has racked up 21 points (8G, 13A) in 20 games.
Both Rockets are considered “C Rating” prospects for the 2018 NHL Draft — slated for June 22-23 in Dallas, Texas.
Three WHL defencemen received an “A Rating”, which indicates a first-round candidate. Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs), Jett Woo (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Alexander Alexeyev (Red Deer Rebels) earned top ranks from NHL scouts.