Rockets in 1st place battle

Photo: Contributed - Marissa Baecker

It's been quite a while since a game between the Kelowna Rockets and Lethbridge Hurricanes, this late in the season, had much meaning.

For the past half dozen seasons, a game with Lethbridge was just a date on the calendar.

Not this year. Not these Hurricanes.

Lethbridge comes into Prospera Place Tuesday the No. 1 team in the Western Hockey League.

The last time they finished atop the overall league standings was during the 1996-97 season – the Rockets' second season in Kelowna. That season, the Hurricanes finished with 47 wins and 97 points. They advanced to the Memorial Cup that year, losing 5-1 to Hull in the final.

It was their only trip to the Memorial Cup.

Tuesday, the Hurricanes come to Kelowna for what could be a Western Hockey League championship series preview.

Lethbridge comes into the game with 36 wins and 72 points. The Rockets have 34 wins and 71 points.

Both teams have played 50 games. Both teams have lost two in a row.

During those two losses, the Rockets have managed just one goal and 46 shots against teams (Victoria, Seattle) known for punishing, defensive styles.

Lethbridge is also stingy on the back end, allowing just 140 goals over 50 games. They are also more dynamic offensively, scoring 210 goals – 30 more than the Rockets.

Prior to their two losses, both on this B.C. Division road trip, the Hurricanes had won 16 of 17 to forge into the overall lead.

They feature the No. 1 power-play in the league and, in left winger Brayden Burke, the league's leading scorer.

Burke comes into the game with 18 goals and 75 points, five more than the Rockets' Tyson Baillie.

Tuesday's first-place showdown is the third and final meeting between the two teams.

The Rockets won their previous two meetings – 6-3 in Lethbridge and 5-3 at Prospera Place.