Losing start for Rockets in preseason

Results don’t really matter in the preseason. It’s all about the process, which will continue this week as the Kelowna Rockets work to trim their roster ahead of the regular season.

Some prospective players made positive impressions over the weekend despite losing 6-5 in a shootout to the Victoria Royals and 4-2 to the Prince George Cougars in a pair of home games. And others will get another chance to win over the Rockets’ brass when Kelowna wraps up its exhibition schedule this weekend with a home-and-home against the Kamloops Blazers — on the road Friday night and back at Prospera Place on Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

Those two teams will also face off in seasonopening action, at Kamloops on Sept. 21 and at Prospera Place on Saturday, Sept. 22 for the Rockets’ home opener.

COUGARS 4, ROCKETS 2

Against Prince George on Saturday night, the Rockets opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by forward prospect Cole Carrier, who made the most of his time on the team’s top line with returnees Kyle Topping and Nolan Foote.

The Cougars responded with the lone goal of the middle frame, capitalizing on a 4-on-1 rush with Arjun Atwal getting the finishing touch for the equalizer.

Rockets sophomore goalie James Porter Jr. kept it 1-1 through 40 minutes by stopping Craig Armstrong on a late penalty shot before turning the crease over to Cole Tisdale for the final stanza.

Prince George took its first lead of the game when Kjell Kjemhus snuck the puck between Tisdale’s legs early in the third period. The 17-year-old from Grande Prairie, Alta., scored in his home away from home, having spent the past four seasons at Winfield-based Pursuit of Excellence before being traded from the Regina Pats to Prince George in the deal for Jesse Gabrielle on Jan. 5 ahead of last season’s trade deadline.

Called up to the Cougars for the stretch run, Kjemhus finished with two goals and two assists for four points, along with 14 penalty minutes, in 25 games.

Foote got the Rockets back to even moments later, netting the 2-2 goal on a nice individual effort in the first game of his NHL draft year.

However, Tyson Upper, a recent signing for P.G., scored twice in the last six minutes, including an empty-netter, to lift the visitors to victory.

Porter stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced, while Tisdale turned aside 9 of 11.

The Cougars outshot the Rockets 27-25.

FAN BUS IS BACK

Chantelle LaBrie is organizing a fan bus to attend the Rockets’ regular-season opener in Kamloops on Friday, Sept. 21.

The cost is $52 per person and includes the round trip, game ticket, pizza on the bus (sponsored by Papa Johns), popcorn at the game and prizes.

There are 56 seats on the bus and it will be leaving Kelowna at 4 p.m. on Sept. 21.

For more information or to book your spot, email labrie_chantelle10@hotmail.com.