Kelowna Rockets, Red Deer Rebels to face off for final time this season

The Kelowna Rockets will have the opportunity to win their season series against the Red Deer Rebels tonight.

The Rockets will be looking to build off Monday afternoon’s fiery win against the rival Victoria Royals.

Kelowna head coach Jason Smith says his squad takes a similar approach to each opponent.

“We worry about our game plan and the things we can control. It doesn’t matter which team we’re playing on a certain night,” Smith said. “We focus on our execution and our details that allow us to have success. Obviously they’re a different opponent, but they’re a team that competes and is playing really well. We need to make sure we’re prepared, focused and competing at a high level.”

Tonight’s game will be the third and final time these teams meet this season.

The Rebels visited Prospera Place on Remembrance Day earlier this season. Kelowna got the victory on the strength of three power-play goals, with six Rockets skaters registering a pair of points in that 5-2 triumph on Nov. 11. James Porter made 29 saves to backstop the win.

The Rockets were in Red Deer on Jan. 27 to play the third and final game of a road trip through Alberta.

Kelowna secured a point in that meeting thanks to Kole Lind’s game-tying goal with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation.

Rebels goalie Ethan Anders stole the show, turning in a 41-save performance.

Kristian Reichel ended the overtime when he beat Rockets affiliate goalie Cole Tisdale just under three minutes into the extra frame to give Red Deer a 3-2 win.

The Rockets bring a 34-17-4-1 record into tonight’s tilt. Kelowna is atop the B.C. Division standings, with a one-point edge over Victoria and two games in hand on the Royals.

The Vancouver Giants are third in the division with 66 points.

The Rockets currently sit third in the Western Conference, one point behind the Portland Winterhawks for second and three points back of the Everett Silvertips for first.

Red Deer’s record is 18-26-10-3. The Rebels sit fourth in the Central Division with 49 points, but they are only two points back of Kootenay for third spot.

In the Eastern Conference, Red Deer is in 10th place, ahead of the Calgary Hitmen and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Bring a date to Prospera Place tonight for a 7:05 p.m. puck-drop, and don’t miss out on the Hat-Trick Wednesday promotion in which fans can buy a ticket before 2 p.m. today for $19.99. The deal includes a hot dog and a pop at the game.

Following Valentine’s Day, the Rockets will head to Kamloops to renew their rivalry with the Blazers on Friday night in the first of back-to-back weekend games. Kelowna has won all four games to date against Kamloops this season.

The Rockets then host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday (7:05 p.m., Prospera Place).