The Kelowna Rockets are a very storied franchise, one that is set to host the Memorial Cup, if the event goes on as planned.
With the cancellation of the remainder of the regular season, we’re opening up the history vault. Here’s how the team did on this day over the years.
March 19, 2016: Complete domination.
That’s the best word to describe what happened inside Prospera Place. Kelowna had 51 shots and they hit the double-digit mark in goals.
Playing against the Vancouver Giants, the Rockets won 10-1. Tyson Baillie scored two goals to move his season total to 43. Those 43 goals were the fourth most across the WHL and he finished seventh in the scoring race with 95 points.
Calvin Thurkauf also netted two goals in the thumping while six other Rockets scored singles.
Not only was it a dominating offensive performance, but the Rockets did a nice job defensively as well, allowing just 23 shots against.
Kelowna would advance to the Western Conference Final that season where they were swept by Seattle.
March 19, 2011: Giants tame Rockets.
Four different Giants scored a goal in the game as they skated off with a 4-3 win. The markers were scored by Spencer Bennett, Andrej Stastny, Connor Redmond, and Luke Fenske.
Zach Franko, Geordie Wudrick, and Colton Sissons responded for Kelowna; however, it wasn’t enough.
I guess you could say Kelowna did get the last laugh. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs while Vancouver lost in the first round.
March 19, 2005: A packed crowd.
It’s not often that junior hockey players get the chance to play in front of more than 12,000 fans. The exception of course playing in a major tournament, the playoffs, or apparently, the final game of the regular season.
12,778 fans packed inside of the Pacific Coliseum for this season finale between the Rockets and Giants. It was a game that Kelowna led 1-0 after 20 minutes. However, Gilbert Brule fuelled the come back as he scored two goals and added two assists in a 5-1 decisive win.
Merek Schwarz also made 24 saves on 25 shots.
