Today’s Gameday Preview: Wednesday January 16th, 2019

DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Warriors @ Rockets 7:05 PST

The Kelowna Rockets are looking to get the monkey off their back as they’ve lost five straight games coming into this one against the road warriors from Moose Jaw tonight in the Okanagan.

Justin Almeida, Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Moose Jaw Warriors (22-11-5-2) are just coming off their first victory in five games last night when they beat the Kamloops Blazers by a 5-2 score. Justin Almeida had quite the night, notching a pair of goals and a pair of assists to earn him first star honors. Almeida is having another great season in 2018-19, he’s second on the Warriors in team scoring with 13 goals and 42 assists in 36 games played. It’s no secret the Pittsburgh Penguins got themselves a steal drafting Almeida in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Moose Jaw continued their domination in road games last night moving their record away from the Mosaic Place to 13-3-1-0. Surely, the struggling Rockets will be up against it tonight.

KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 23: Kyle Crosbie #25 of the Kelowna Rockets skates with the puck against the Swift Current Broncos on October 23, 2018 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

The Kelowna Rockets (17-21-3-1) have been facing some adversity of late, most recently veteran forward Erik Gardiner retiring due to injury, and notably releasing seasoned vet Lane Zablocki at the trade deadline. Now the weight is going to fall upon some much younger shoulders in the Rockets forward group, in the likes of Liam Kindree, the highly touted Alex Swetlikoff, and Kyle Crosbie. The Rockets goaltending also has to improve, allowing 19 goals over their last four games, two of which were against one of the leagues lowest scoring teams in the Prince George Cougars. Surely, the Rockets are in no position to make a run this post-season, but all eyes are looking at the Memorial Cup slated to take place at Prospera Place in May 2020.

Who to watch:

  • Justin Almeida (MJ) 13G, 42A- Had four points last night in Kamloops, is on pace for over 100 points this season.
  • Liam Kindree (KEL) 7G, 19A- With the absence of Erik Gardiner and Lane Zablocki, expect to see a lot more of Kindree in all situations. The 2000-born hasn’t had a point since December 15th, 2018.

Expected goalies:

  • Brodan Salmond (MJ) 2.92 GAA, .898 SV%- The former Kelowna Rocket makes his return, the overager allowed seven goals in his last start vs. Seattle.
  • James Porter (KEL) 3.26 GAA, .900 SV%- His last win in goal was on December 11th vs. the Kootenay Ice.

Other games:

Kootenay Ice (9-29-6-1) @ Regina Pats (12-30-1-1)

  • Both teams have won a game against each other this season, last meeting was a 5-2 Kootenay victory on November 13th.

Edmonton Oil Kings (24-14-4-3) @ Medicine Hat Tigers (23-16-2-2)

  • Edmonton has won all three meetings this season, the last one took overtime for Vince Loschiavo to score to make it a 2-1 win.

Prince Albert Raiders (37-5-0-1) @ Prince George Cougars (16-22-1-2)

  • Prince George is playing their best hockey of the season winning four of their last five, tonight will be a test for playoff hopeful Prince George

Vancouver Giants (26-12-2-0) @ Tri-City Americans (21-16-1-1)

  • Vancouver has taken both meetings against the Americans so far this season, 4-2, and 5-2 respectively both in early December.