PHOTO CREDIT STEVE DUNSMOOR
The Kelowna Rockets will be looking to get back into the win column when they visit the Victoria Royals on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre—puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
Tuesday will be the first time they face off in Victoria this season.
In last year's season series the Rockets went 10-3-0-0 against the Royals, with all three losses coming on Royals ice in Victoria.
"When we go over to Victoria, I don't know if it's the fresh sea air but it takes us a little bit to get our feet under us," said head coach Kris Mallette in his postgame media availability on Friday.
"Knowing what they're about as a team and the fact that they're really strong at jumping on the loose puck and turnovers, stuff like that. We've gotta make sure that we're ready and prepared for the drop of the puck on Tuesday night."
The Rockets are coming off of a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday night. Down 3-1 heading into the third period, the Rockets pushed back to tie the game early in the final frame, but the Thunderbirds responded with a pair of goals two quick goals just over a minute apart after the tying goal. The Rockets added a power play marker in the final minutes of the game.
Victoria is searching for their first win of the season after dropping back-to-back games to Kamloops, 5-2 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. They're now 0-7-0-0 to start the season.
|
Victoria Royals (0-7-0-0 – 0 points) 5th B.C. Division Power Play: 5/26– 19.2% Penalty Kill: 19/27 – 70.4% Last Ten: 0-7-0-0 Streak: 0-7-0-0 GF: 13 GA: 31 PIM: 86 |
Kelowna Rockets (2-2-1-0 – 5 points) T-2nd B.C. Division Power Play: 9/26 – 34.6% Penalty Kill: 14/18 – 77.8% Last Ten: 2-2-1-0 Streak: 0-1-0-0 GF: 20 GA: 18 PIM: 64 |
The last time these two met
Victoria and Kelowna didn't have to wait long to see each other again, they played last Wednesday with the Rockets picking up a 3-0 win at Prospera Place.
Kelowna broke out with a pair of goals in the first. After a scoreless second period, the Rockets added another in the third.
Adam Kydd recorded a goal and an assist, while seven other Rockets found the scoresheet. Netminder Jari Kykkanen made twenty saves to earn his second win of the season and second career shutout.
Roster Updates
Twenty-year-old goaltender Talyn Boyko, who is still unsigned, was released from his training tryout with the New York Rangers AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack on Monday. The Rangers prospect is now listed as a tryout with their ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen.
Colton Dach will make his 2022-23 debut, the Chicago Blackhawks 2021 second-round pick was returned to the Rockets on Friday. He was named the Rockets 27th captain on Monday.
Players to watch
Kelowna
Victoria