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Welcome back Rockets fans!
The Kelowna Rockets opened home ice at Prospera Place for the regular season on Saturday, downing the Kamloops Blazers 5-1, and redeeming themselves after a 9-2 loss on Friday.
Jordan Borstmayer opened the scoring at 11:06 of the first period, and though it wasn't pretty, it did the trick.
Just minutes later on a 5-on-3 Rockets power play, hometown boy Jonathan Smart sent a rocket of a shot (pun intended) into the Blazers' net, putting the Rockets up 2-0.
20-year-old veteran Riley Stadel stepped up to lead the team, netting two goals on the night, which happens to be the number of goals that he scored in all of the 2015-2016 season.
Tanner Wishnowski also netted his first goal of the season off of a great pass from Jake Kryski.
Joe Gatenby made his return to Prospera Place, but he hit the ice with a different team. Gatenby, along with his brother Danny, were dealt to the Blazers in exchange for Jake Kryski prior to the 2016-2017 season start.
As the Rockets outshot Kamloops 33-26, Michael Herringer earned his first win of the season in net. The Blazers goaltenders, Dylan Ferguson and Carter Phair, split the loss.
With a number of players still away at NHL training camps, the Rockets rookies and young players had the chance to enjoy more ice time than usual. The lineup will likely see some changes when Lucas Johansen (Washington Capitals), Devante Stephens (Buffalo Sabres), Nick Merkely (Arizona Coyotes), Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames), Brayden Chizen (Minnesota Wild), and Calvin Thurkauf (Columbus Blue Jackets) return from camps.
Despite the loss on Friday and some key players missing, fans were optimistic about the home opener.
The Rockets will take on the Prince George Cougars next on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:05pm.
Tickets are available for the game on Friday through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
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