Rocket juggernaut gets Giant test

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Tyson Baillie has led the way offensively for the Kelowna Rockets through three games this season.

The high flying Kelowna Rockets - the Rockets with 21 goals in the plus column through three games - look to keep the good times rolling against the Vancouver Giants Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The Rockets have put up six, seven and eight goals respectively in wins over Kamloops and Prince George (twice) over the past weekend.

Kelowna leads the Western Hockey League with an average of seven goals per game while giving up a stingy 1.67 per contest.

"I'm pleasantly surprised," says rookie head coach Dan Lambert.

"You never expect to score at that rate and certainly our special teams have helped."

Those special teams have led the way for the Rockets. The power-play has scored nine times, aided in part by a five goal output Saturday in Prince George.

The penalty kill has also been outstanding, outscoring the opposition power-play 2-1 in the early going.

Tyson Baillie has led the offensive juggernaut with four goals and four assists to share the league scoring lead.

"Tyson is a kid that was overlooked in the draft and he's always had a knack for the net. Obviously last year he got hurt, probably at a key time for him," says Lambert.

"He is skating better than ever....and he looks like a guy headed in the right direction as far as how his season has started."

The Giants come in Wednesday with an identical 3-0 record with early season wins over Kamloops, Portland and Victoria.

Face-off Wednesday is 7 p.m.

The Rockets will hit the road again following Wednesday's tilt for games in Everett Friday and Seattle Saturday.