Friday Night Hockey has crisscrossed the nation, moving from the Maritimes to the West Coast. It’s a B.C. division matchup in the WHL featuring the Victoria Royals at home to the Kelowna Rockets.
These two teams don’t like each other much, and a 7-3 Victoria loss one week ago should set the stage for a revenge match on home ice. Through the first four games of the season series, the teams have combined for 31 goals, 239 shots, several scraps and over 350 penalty minutes. Expect this game to be highly entertaining.
The Rockets have seemingly got their groove back. Not that they really lost it, but there was a small adjustment period after the acquisition of Leon Draisaitl, Josh Morrissey and Chance Braid after the world juniors.
Kelowna can play it any way you like. On average, the Rockets have scored the second-most goals in the WHL and have allowed the fewest. With Tyrell Goulbourne, Chance Braid and Riley Stadel, the Rockets can play the physical card when needed as well.
In goal, appendicitis has Jackson Whistle on the sidelines, giving valuable developmental minutes to Michael Herringer and Jake Morrissey. The two rookies have combined for a 14-3 record and are battling to be the playoff backup.
With Madison Bowey and (Josh) Morrissey, the Rockets possess two great puck movers and point producers on the back end. Cole Martin, Joe Gatenby, Stadel, Lucas Johansen and Devante Stephens share secondary minutes.
Up front, there’s a bevy of options for head coach Dan Lambert. Draisaitl is getting used to being back in the CHL, Nick Merkley continues to roll, while Rourke Chartier is still scoring goals at a torrid pace. Secondary scoring comes in the form of sniper Tyson Baillie and Nashville prospect Justin Kirkland.
The Royals are coming off a stretch in which they played four games in five days. Some much-needed rest should allow Victoria to come out of the gates quickly.
Despite being one of the stingiest second half teams in the league, Victoria gets a ton of production out of world junior gold medalist Joe Hicketts and former Blackhawks draftee Travis Brown. The two have combined for more than 100 points as the best point-producing defencemen duo in the WHL.
Team toughness is a strength and word around the WHL is Victoria plays a hard, heavy style that leaves opponents knowing they’ve been in a battle. Victoria is the second most penalized team in the league.
Since being acquired from Moose Jaw, Justin Paulic has challenged Coleman Volrath for the No. 1 job. The two have pushed one another, resulting in just 44 goals allowed in the 19 games since the calendar turned to 2015.
Aside from Hicketts and Brown on the back, Ryan Gagnon, Bryton Syaers and Alex Sleptsov see plenty of action, while draft eligible Chazz Reddekopp is an all-around force.
At forward, Austin Carroll continues to lead the way with second-year centre Tyler Soy starting to take off. Greg Chase was brought in to score and he’s done that, although he’s become equally good at distributing the puck. Alex Forsberg is enjoying his finest season in the WHL, while Brandon Magee is one of just a couple of original Chilliwack Bruins.
Kelowna Rockets — 45-9-3-1 (23-3-2-1) 3W, First B.C. Division, First Western Conference, Second BMO CHL Top 10
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton, Third in 2014)
Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg, 13th in 2013)
Madison Bowey (Washington, 53rd in 2013)
Justin Kirkland (Nashville, 62nd in 2014)
Tyrell Goulbourne (Philadelphia, 72nd in 2013)
Mitchell Wheaton (Detroit, 139th in 2013)
Rourke Chartier (San Jose, 149th in 2014)
NHL Central Scouting Mid-term Ranking
Nick Merkley — No. 13
Devante Stephens — No. 108
Joe Gatenby — No. 134
Under The Radar
Devante Stephens — Getting minutes on Kelowna’s defence is not easy, but Stephens shone when Morrissey and Bowey were at the world juniors. He might just be the next name in a long line of superstar Rockets defencemen.
Victoria Royals — 32-22-3-1 (18-8-3-0 Home) 1L, Second B.C. Division, Fourth Western Conference
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
*Travis Brown (Chicago, 149th in 2012)
Greg Chase (Edmonton, 188th in 2013)
Austin Carroll (Calgary, 184th in 2014)
Joe Hicketts (Detroit, signed as free agent)
*Did not sign, is NHL FA
NHL Central Scouting Mid-term Ranking
Tyler Soy No. 152
Chaz Reddekopp No. 199
Under The Radar
Travis Brown — Once drafted by Chicago, but did not sign, Brown possesses a big shot, a good frame and an element of toughness. He’s still high-risk on occasion, but is playing for an NHL contract as an offensive defenceman.
