225625
228935
WHL  

Kelowna Rockets finally get a chance to play in front of the home fans Friday

Rockets host home opener

It's been well over a year-and-a-half since fans have had a chance to pile into Prospera Place for a regular season Western Hockey League game.

That long wait ends tonight when the Rockets host division-rival Kamloops Blazers in their home opener.

The Rockets opened the season last weekend, splitting a pair of games in Victoria, including a season-opening 6-3 defeat.

"I think the first game we were just getting together as a team and getting used to playing with each other," said Rockets captain Tyson Feist about their opening game.

"I think we could've come out a little bit better in that first game and the guys realize that. We recouped for the second game and I think we played a good strong team game."

The reigning BC Division champion Blazers meantime are a perfect 4-0, averaging six goals a game in the process.

"Every game against Kamloops is a big game," said Feist.

"We're going to play a good team and get the W."

The Rockets will look a little different than they did the last time the team played before a large crowd.

Gone are goaltenders Roman Basran and Cole Schwebius. They'll be replaced between the pipes by Colby Knight, acquired earlier this week from Edmonton, and Cole Tisdale.

Colton Dach will also make his Prospera Place debut after being acquired in a deal for Trevor Wong.

Czech native Gabriel Szturc, selected in the import draft, will also make his Rockets debut Friday.

Due to provincial health restrictions, capacity will be capped at 50 per cent for Friday's game.

A limited number of single-game tickets went on sale Thursday morning at Select Your Tickets.



More WHL articles