Rockets to test 5-game home winning streak tonight vs. Vancouver.

The Kelowna Rockets are hoping to extend their five-game home winning streak tonight when they host the B.C. Division-leading Vancouver Giants at Prospera Place.

The Rockets (11-14-1-0) last played Saturday in Everett, Wash., where backup goaltender James Porter made 40 saves but Kelowna suffered a 2-1 defeat to the U.S. Divisionleading Silvertips (19-7-1-0).

“We were in the defensive zone a lot of that game, but it was a good lesson learned,” said over-age defenceman Dalton Gally. “Play a full 60 minutes, maintain the entire game, and play our game.” Tonight’s matchup will be the third time that Kelowna and Vancouver have faced off this season.

The Giants won both previous meetings, blanking the Rockets 5-0 at Prospera Place on Oct. 3 and then prevailing 3-1 in Langley on Oct. 21.

Vancouver, with a 16-6-2-0 record, was 11 points clear of Kelowna atop the B.C. Division standings heading into last night’s home game in Langley against the Saskatoon Blades (15-8-2-0), who will visit Prospera Place on Saturday.

“The most important thing is to play as a five-man unit,” Gally said of facing the Giants. “Sometimes we get too spread out or someone tries to do a little too much. If we simplify our game and focus on playing as one unit, good things will happen.”

Kelowna, with 23 points, entered Tuesday tied for third place in the B.C. Division with Prince George, though the Cougars were also in action last night in Kennewick, Wash., against the Tri-City Americans.

The Rockets are three points ahead of the fifth-place Kamloops Blazers and trail the second-place Victoria Royals by only a single point, though it should be noted that Victoria strangely has six games in hand on Kelowna and Kamloops also has four to make up.

Tonight’s puck-drop against Vancouver is 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place.

For the Hat-Trick Wednesday promotion, fans that purchase their tickets before 2 p.m. today will receive a hot dog, a pop and entry to the game for $19.99.