Kelowna Rockets put nine on the board in drubbing of Victoria The Kelowna Rockets erased the bitterness of their previous loss to the Vancouver Giants with a dominant performance against the Victoria Royals, securing a 9-2 victory. The win marked a strong rebound for the team, showcasing their offensive prowess and resilience. The Rockets struck early and often, taking control of the game with a 4-1 lead after the first period and extending it to 7-2 by halftime. Key contributors included Tig Iginla, who recorded his second five-point game of the season with a goal and four assists. Shane Smith added two goals, while Hayden Paupanekis, Keith McInnis, Ty Halaburda, Mazden Leslie, Owen Folstrom, and Rowan Guest each found the net. Parker Alcos and Carson Wetsch chipped in with two assists apiece, ensuring 13 of the 18 skaters on the roster contributed at least one point. Leslie’s goal marked his 250th career point, making him the 13th defenseman in WHL history and the first in Rockets history to reach that milestone. Former Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon faced 46 shots but was unable to stop the onslaught, while Josh Banini made 28 saves to earn the win. The Rockets also capitalized on the power play, converting two of three opportunities, and limited the Royals to just one power-play chance. The victory kept the Rockets tied with Prince George for third place in the Western Conference, both teams sitting at 78 points. Prince George holds the tiebreaker with three more wins. The Rockets will face the Vancouver Giants in Langley on Sunday to conclude their busy weekend.#kelowna_rockets #victoria_royals #tig_iginla #shane_smith #hayden_paupanekis
