Red hot Rockets get mighty Oil Kings

The Kelowna Rockets have found their stride - the Edmonton Oil Kings are just a beast.

Something has to give Wednesday night when the two clubs collide at Prospera Place.

It's the second meeting between the two clubs in the last 11 days.

The Oil Kings erased a one goal deficit with three unanswered third period goals in a 5-3 victory in Edmonton back on October 27.

"They have a great team. They are one of the deepest teams and they are the defending champions for a reason," says Rockets head coach Ryan Huska.

"We have to make sure we do a good job with our team game and we have to make sure we do a good job of staying out of the box as well, because their power-play is really good."

The Oil Kings hung around in that game 11 days ago with a pair of goals before the third period uprising.

Aside from avoiding untimely penalties, Huska says the Rockets did learn a few things from the loss in Edmonton.

"I think we have to play our game with a little more tempo to it and continue to take some pride in our checking game."

Since the loss in Edmonton the Rockets have rattled off three wins in a row, allowing just one goal in the process.

The Rockets in fact have not allowed a goal in over 175 minutes, getting back-to-back shutouts from Jordon Cooke and back-up Jackson Whistle.

The 17-year-old Whistle blanked Prince George 5-0 Friday after Cooke was injured in practice the previous day.

Cooke remains day-to-day meaning Whistle may get the call again Wednesday against Edmonton.

"Jackson has done well. He has done a good job working with Kim (goaltending coach Dillabaugh) and sometimes it's not easy for someone to be your so-called back-up and not knowing how many starts he's going to get," says Huska.

But, Jackson has been consistent with his work ethic and he's making sure he's prepared when he does get the nod."

Wednesday's game is the third of a four game homestand for the Rockets.

They will host the Red Deer Rebels Friday, before hitting the road for back-to-back games in Tri-City the following weekend.