Rockets seek redemption

Photo: Marissa Baecker

The Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds meet for the second time in five nights Wednesday when they face off at Prospera Place.

The T-Birds beat the Rockets 4-1 Saturday in Seattle.

The Rockets, 1-7 on the season, have given up a goal in the first five minutes in all seven losses, including a goal in the opening minute against Seattle.

Head coach Jason Smith says they team needs to make sure it's ready to go once the puck drops.

"As we get ready for a team we just played, there should be no surprises. We know they are physical and they compete. On Saturday they took advantage of our mistakes," said Smith.

"We have to make sure we are ready at the start of the game, play a complete game with no shifts off, and we need to pay attention to the little details. Our guys need to be better on the penalty kill clearing the puck and staying within the systems, not be freelancers. We have played better for the most part, but we must continue to pass the puck better and compete for complete shifts and dictate the game, not wait for things to happen."

The Rockets come into the game Wednesday in the basement of the BC Division while the T-Birds sit third in the US Division.

Wednesday's game is the second of four straight games against US Division competition.

They face the Tri-City Americans in a home-and-home series Friday in Kennewick, WA and Saturday back at Prospera Place.