Rockets embark on busy B.C. Division weekend

After surprising the entire Western Hockey League last weekend with victories over two of the top teams in Canada, the schedule makers have presented the Kelowna Rockets with a busy 3-in-3 stretch against two division rivals.

Kelowna hosts the Victoria Royals on Friday. So far this season, the Rockets are 4-1 in five games against the Royals. The Rockets (19-22-3-1) dropped the first meeting of the season and has reeled off four straight against Victoria.

The Royals (23-20-1) currently sit in second place in the B.C. Division with 47 points, five ahead of Kelowna. The second place finisher in the division earns home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Conversely, the Rockets have had no success against the Giants this season, dropping all three games to date including two at Prospera Place.

Vancouver (30-12-2) has won seven straight and are the runaway leaders in the B.C. Division with 62 points.

GP W L OTL SOL PTS STREAK
Vancouver 44 30 12 2 0 62 7-0-0-0
Victoria 44 23 20 1 0 47 0-1-0-0
Kelowna 45 19 22 3 1 42 2-0-0-0
Kamloops 44 17 24 2 1 37 2-0-0-0
Prince George 45 16 24 3 2 37 0-2-2-0

The Giants visit Kelowna on Saturday, then the teams battle on Sunday at the Langley Events Centre.

There is heightened enthusiasm surrounding the Rockets following its success last weekend. Prior to the wins over Everett and Prince Albert, the team had dropped six straight games and was on a 1-7 run following the Christmas break in the WHL regular season schedule.

The upcoming weekend was discussed, along with views on the Sherwin Williams CHL Top Prospects Game, on AM1150 Radio in Kelowna.

It’s the weekly “Hockey Guys” segment, with host Phil Johnson, freelance broadcaster Eric Stansfield and DUBNetwork’s Glen Erickson.