PHOTO CREDIT STEVE DUNSMOOR
The Kelowna Rockets will be back in action on Wednesday when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings at Prospera Place.
It's the first time since the 2018-19 season that a team from the Eastern Conference will pay a visit to Prospera Place. It's also the first matchup between the two since the Rockets visited Westoba Place on December 10, 2019, where Kelowna one 2-1 in a shootout.
Kelowna will be looking to snap their current two-game skid, they were last in action on Friday where they fell 5-4 to the Everett Silvertips. Falling behind 3-0 before the seven-minute mark, the Rockets were able to hold off the Tips and tie the game at three in the third period. Everett pushed back with two more goals, with the Rockets pulling the game within one in the final minute.
Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette spoke about the slow starts that the team has had this season following Saturday night's game.
"What we've been doing, it was the same thing in Victoria," said Mallette. "We're coming out of the gates late, whatever we were doing, we've got to change it somehow, someway."
Rockets defenceman Elias Carmichael spoke on how to change the slow starts.
"Just warming up better, being more focused and not being so loose on the ice," said Carmichael. Even in the room, we're a bit loose, we just need to tighten that up."
Brandon is currently four games into their eight-game road trip that's already seen stops in Calgary, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria. They suffered their first loss of the road trip falling 5-3 to the Victoria Royals on Saturday night.
The Wheat Kings will be in action on Tuesday night at Kamloops before travelling to Kelowna for Wednesday's game.
Roster Updates
Rockets goaltender and 2022 MVP was returned to Kelowna from the New York Rangers ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen. He resumed skating with the Rockets on Tuesday.
Colton Dach is in concussion protocol after a hit to the head in Friday's game, he's listed as week-to-week on the injury report.
Scott Cousins was reassigned to the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL yesterday.
The Rockets roster currently sits at fourteen forwards, seven defencemen and three goaltenders.
Players to watch
Kelowna
Brandon