Rockets vs. Cougars preview

Shoot the Breeze Photgraphy

Game Day Preview: The Kelowna Rockets meet the Prince George Cougars for the second time in a week. Last Friday at Prospera Place, the Cougars earned a 2-1 shootout win. The Rockets are coming off a 4-2 loss Wednesday against the visiting Everett Silvertips. Lassi Thomson scored both goals in the setback. Thomson’s opening goal was his first in 23 games. James Porter was solid in goal, named the first star, with a 40 save performance. After these two games this weekend, the Rockets host Moose Jaw Wednesday before traveling to Everett Friday night. The team welcomes Marc Habscheid, Jeff Truitt and the Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night. The Rockets are 13-9-3-1 in 26 games under head coach Adam Foote. 

Who’s Hot: Lassi Thomson has 2+6=8 points in his last 9 games…Nolan Foote has points in 9 of his last 13 games. Foote has 5+8=13 over that stretch...Leif Mattson has 9 goals in his last 16 games. The 19 year-old has registered at least one shot on goal in 38 of the teams 40 games this season. Kyle Topping has registered a point in 28 of the teams 40 games this season... The Rockets penalty killing unit is 35 for 40 in their last nine road games…The Rockets have points in 10 of their last 11 home games (8-1-2-0).  

New Boys on Blue Line: The team acquired 20 year-old Shael Higson Wednesday from the Brandon Wheat Kings for 20 year-old Braydyn Chizen and a 5^th round bantam pick. The team then claimed 20 year-old defenceman Matt Barberis off waivers Thursday from the Vancouver Giants. To make room for Barberis, the team released overage forward Lane Lablocki.

Broadcasters Notebook: The Rockets are 4-7-0-0 in 11 games against a US Division team this season. Three of the four wins have come against Tri City with a single victory over Seattle…The team plays 9 more games against US Division rivals with four games against Spokane, two with Everett and Portland and a single against Seattle.….The Rockets have played 11-one goal games at home this season. Last year they played 15-one goal games at Prospera Place…The team has played in 8-one goal games on the road….The Rockets have six birthday’s in January which include Liam Kindree (Jan 2^nd), Kris Mallette (Jan 19^th – turns 40), Ethan Ernst and Dalton Gally (Jan 26^th), Ted Brennan (Jan 28^th) and Kaedan Korczak (January 29^th)…The Rockets are sending a CHL high three players to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game next month in Red Deer. Nolan Foote, Lassi Thomson and Kaedan Korczak will attend the game of the top 40 prospects. The game will take place January 23^rd…Since going 1-8-0-0 to start the season, the team is 16-11-3-1 in their last 31 games …Leif Mattson has 5-two goal games this season. Four of those five-two goal games have come on the road…The Rockets are 7-8-2-1 against BC Division teams this season…Five members of the Kelowna Rockets have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s November “Players to Watch’ List. Forward Nolan Foote is an ‘A’ prospect, meaning a first round candidate. Kaedan Korczak is a ‘B’ prospect which means he is a second or third round candidate. Roman Basran/Lassi Thomson and Alex Swetlikoff are ‘C’ prospects, which means he could be taken in the third to the seventh round…Adam Foote was officially named the new head coach of the Kelowna Rockets on October 23, 2018 replacing Jason Smith.,,The Rockets are 5-9-1-0 when playing the second game of back-to-backs.

Season Highs/Lows:

Most goals scored: 8 @ Victoria October 19/18 (8-2 W)

Most goals allowed: 9 vs. Seattle October 10^th, 2018 (9-6 L)

Most shots on net: 45 @ Seattle October 6th, 2018 (4-1 L).

Fewest shots on net: 13 @ Edmonton November 17, 2018 (3-1 L)

Most shots allowed: 50 @ Portland November 10, 2018 (3-0 L)

Fewest shots allowed: 16 vs. Victoria December 7, 2018 (2-0 win)

Last time shut out at home: October 3rd, 2018 vs. Vancouver (5-0 L)  

Last time shut out on road: November 10, 2018 @ Portland (3-0 L)

Last shutout at home: December 7, 2018 vs. Victoria (2-0 W - Roman Basran 16 saves)

Most power play goals allowed: 4 vs. Seattle October 10^th, 2018 (9-6 L). T-Birds were 4/5 on power play.

Most power play goals scored: 4 @ Victoria October 19, 2018 (8-2 W)

Overtime Games: @ Kamloops (3-2 Loss) December 28, 2018, vs. Saskatoon (5-4 Loss) December 1, 2018, @ Tri City Nov 30, 2018 (3-2 win), @ PG (4-3 Loss) November 14, 2018, vs. PG (4-3 win) October 27, 2018.  

Game Notes Compiled by Regan Bartel of AM 1150