Veteran vs.rookie

www.shootthebreeze.ca

The Kelowna Rockets may be considered the underdog in their Western Conference final rematch from last season, but they do have an advantage in a goal heading into game one Friday night at ShoWare Center.

Veteran Michael Herringer will play in his 34th career playoff game when his team takes to the ice in game one.

The 21 year-old is up for the challenge.

 "Last year didn't go the way we all wanted. When we heard when were playing Seattle we very pretty excited to get another crack at them".

Herringer's counterpart at the other end of the ice is expected to be rookie goalie Carl Stankowski. The 17 year-old is 8 and 0 for the T-Birds in the 2017 playoffs, with a 2.24 goals against average after taking over the duties from 20 year-old Rylan Toth, who was injured late in the season.

Stankowski will be playing in his 9th career playoff game on Friday, which is 25 fewer games than Herringer has under his belt.

The soft spoken Rockets goaltender has been excellent in the WHL playoffs, posting a goals against average of 2.18 which includes two shutouts.  

"We have a lot of guys that have been here for three years now and have gone to the finals and played in the Western Conference finals. It helps a lot when you get put into tougher situations when you go far in the playoffs that you know how to handle them and it isn't a foreign feeling".  

The seasononed veteran against the raw rookie in the most critical position on the ice.

The fun begins Friday night.