Rockets open on the road

Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

The Kelowna Rockets will face some familiar foes when they open, and close the upcoming Western Hockey League season.

The 68-game regular season schedule released Tuesday, see Kelowna open up in Kamloops Sept. 21, before hosting the Blazers in their home opener the following night.

They close out with back-to-back games against the Vancouver Giants, culminating with the close of the season Saturday, March 16 at Prospera Place.

With the shorter schedule, the Rockets will face division rivals Vancouver and Prince George nine times each, Victoria eight times and Kamloops 10.

They face each of the US Division clubs four times and Eastern Conference teams once each.

The Rockets will host each of the Eastern Division teams, but a new wrinkle this year will see them face Central Division teams on the road only.

The new schedule includes 14 Saturday home dates, 11 on Wednesday, seven Friday nights with one each on Tuesday and Sunday.

For the first time since the Family Day holiday was instituted, the Rockets will not be at home that day. They will play on the road in Victoria.

Kelowna's longest homestand is three games in length. Their longest road swing is six games in mid-November.

The Rockets do have three tough stretches during the season.

They'll play nine games in 17 days in February, eight in 17 days in October and 11 in 21 days in November.