The Kelowna Rockets got back on track with a 2-0 victory over the Victoria Royals on Wednesday night at Prospera Place.
After being outscored 19-6 in their last two games, the Rockets were able to hold the injury-riddled Victoria Royals off the scoresheet.
"We struggled on that road trip," said Mallette postgame. "We talked about it as a group, we learned from it and tonight the sacrifice was huge within our group. If we did breakdown [tonight], there was a blocked shot here and there. I really liked our battle in regards to our stick battles and fifty-fifties, I thought we carried the play there against a team that gets really hungry that we're chasing [in the standings]."
Jari Kykkanen turned aside 21 shots to collect his second shutout of the campaign and first-star honors.
"It's nice to get back on track," said Kykkanen postgame. "Especially after the last couple of games we've had, this is a great feeling."
GAME SUMMARY
While on the power play, Tij Iginla (35) skated from the top of the left faceoff circle, letting a shot go from the dot that was initially blocked but he was able to recover the puck and put it past Royals starter Jayden Kraus 7:36 into the game. Five and half minutes later Michael Cicek fed the puck to Hiroki Gojsic (14) who was driving to the net to pad the Rockets lead.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Kelowna will take on the Kamloops Blazers this weekend in a home-and-home series that will start in Kamloops on Friday before shifting back to Propsera Place at 7:05 on Saturday, February 10.