Kelowna Rockets edged Prince Albert 2-1 to kickoff six-game trip

Photo: Lucas Chudleigh/Apollo Multimedia

Matthew Wedman made his presence felt less than 24 hours after the Kelowna Rockets acquired him in a deal with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The overage centre, who joined the club in Prince Albert prior to game time, assisted on the game-winning goal as the Rockets opened their six-game East Division road trip with a 2-1 victory over the division-leading Raiders.

With the game tied at one and the Rockets on the power play, Wedman took a pass near the right endline, and skated toward the top of the faceoff circle.

He sent a return pass to Kaeden Korczak at the point who the slid a pass to Nolan Foote in the left circle. His wrist shot found the far corner for what turned out to be the game winner.

Dallon Wilton, a healthy scratch for much of the season, scored his second of the season in just his ninth game of the campaign. However, due to injuries, Wilton has dressed in five straight contests.

Alex Swetlikoff did much of the work on the goal, driving to the net hard off the right wing. His backhand from a sharp angle was stopped, however the rebound popped out to Wilton parked in front of the net. He banged it home to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead nearly four minutes into the second.

Ozzy Wiesblatt tied it six minutes into the third on a Raiders power play.

Roman Basran, named the league's top goaltender in each of the past two weeks, was named the game's first star, turning away 26 of the 27 shots he faced as PA outshot the Rockets 27-15.

The Rockets went 1-8 with the man advantage, and also dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 31 of the 52 draws on the night. Wedman helped in that category as well, winning 12 of his 16 faceoffs.

The loss was just the second time the Raiders have lost in regulation time on home ice this season.

The Rockets continue their six-game road trip Saturday in Saskatoon.

The game will serve as likely the last one Foote will take part in until the new year.

Foote will leave after the game for Team Canada's world junior selection camp.

While Foote leaves after the game, the Rockets will welcome back forward Pavel Novak when they play the third game of the road trip Tuesday in Brandon.

Novak has already served seven games of an eight-game suspension for a checking -from-behind penalty assessed Nov. 11 in Kamloops.