Rockets Earn First Home victory
October 6, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Kelowna Rockets News Release
Kelowna Rockets’ Jari Kykkanen Defends Against Victoria Royals’ Carter Dereniwsky
(Kelowna Rockets)
The Kelowna Rockets picked up their first win on home ice this season with a 3-0 victory over the Victoria Royals on Wednesday night 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.
“I think it got a little strangely at times,” said Rockets head coach Kris Mallette on the team’s defence. “But for the most part, it’s a work in progress for us, our defensive zone. But I thought the sacrifice was there, which was good. It actually turned into a few offensive zone opportunities for us, where we blocked those shots and were able to take off on a few odd-man rushes.”
Gabriel Szturc and Andrew Cristall extended their point streak to four games. Adam Kydd registered the lone multi-point night, earning first star honours after posting a goal and an assist.
Netminder Jari Kykkanen made twenty saves to earn his second win of the season and second career shutout.
“I don’t think Jari was too impressed with his first two starts,” said Mallette “Obviously last game in Prince George he played very strong and then followed it up again tonight.”
GAME SUMMARY
From beside the Royals net, Adam Kydd set up Marcus Pacheco (2) in the slot with the game’s opening goal while on the power play. Caden Price (1) pushed Kelowna to a two-goal lead with a shot from the blue line before the end of the first.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second, with the Royals registering only one shot on net in the middle frame.
Cristall dished a pass to Adam Kydd (4) with 8:50 t0 play to add some insurance.
ADDITIONAL STATS
Kelowna outshot Victoria 29 to 20
The Rockets were 1/4 on the power play while the Royals were 0/3
Grady Lenton and Logan Peskett recorded their first WHL points, assisting on Price’s goal
Ethan Neutens made his regular-season WHL debut
Kydd was the first star, Kykkanen was the second star and Price was the game’s third star
Kelowna will face Victoria on the road in Victoria on October 11th and 12th
UP NEXT
The Rockets will face the Seattle Thunderbirds for the first time since they eliminated the Rockets in the 2022 WHL Playoffs last spring. Kelowna will host the T-Birds at Prospera Place on Friday, puck drop is set for 7:05 pm.
Single game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.
Season tickets are still available at a prorated rate, don’t miss a minute of the Rockets action and secure yours today.
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