Mallette preaching consistency

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“I’d like to have more wins”, head coach Kris Mallette told RocketFAN when assessing his team’s body of work prior to a 3-0 home-ice loss, Wednesday, to the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings. “I think if we could have put some consistency together, our record should be at least 5-2-1-0.”

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Of the five losses suffered this season, three have been decided by a single goal with setbacks to Everett, Seattle, and Portland, which are all considered above-average competition in the highly competitive US Division.

“We are competitive”, Mallette said. “A lot of things match up to where we were last year. Obviously getting Talyn (Boyko) back at about this time last year, getting him back now, we want to build some confidence. I think we are close. Consistency obviously has to get there but teams are always going to get better and that’s our plan as well.”

It was back on November 7, 2021, Boyko was acquired from the Tri City Americans to solidify the teams goaltending. In exchange, the Rockets surrendered a third-round selection in the WHL Prospect Draft along with goalie Cole Tisdale.

Three days later, in his Kelowna Rockets debut, the Drumheller, Alberta product made 27 saves in a 3-2 win over the visiting Kamloops Blazers.

The 6’8 goalie made his 2022-2023 debut Wednesday night against the Wheat Kings, allowing his team a chance to win with several solid stops in the first period. It came two short days after being sent back to junior hockey after signing an NHL contract with the New York Rangers.

“It is nice to get Talyn back, a proven goaltender”, Mallette added. “He got his contract and wanted to play pro, but he has to pivot now and continue to get better and win us some hockey games. In order for us to gain traction, for us to gain confidence, there are going to be plenty of mistakes, we need that solidity back in the crease in order for us to work through it. I am confident in our group that if we get that big save here and there, we are a momentum-driven team.”

Boyko, who is one of the two 20-year-olds on the roster, was the Kelowna Rockets MVP a season ago. In 46 games, the last line of defense won 28 times and posted a goals-against-average of 2.79. At one-point last season, the tallest player in WHL won six consecutive starts while winning five consecutive games – twice – by using his large frame in the crease.

“You make it what it is”, Mallette said in reflecting on his 20-year-old season playing in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. “It was one of the funist times I’ve had. There is a lot of responsibility. You are looked upon to be a leader within your group and hopefully, you are helping to leave a legacy for the guys you eventually leave behind”.

With Boyko’s return, the Rockets boast one of the best goaltending tandems in the Western Conference.

“In Talyn’s case, he is trying to mentor a goaltender in Jari Kykkanen, who is going to be a guy for us for the next few years.”, Mallette continued. “It comes down to the player’s mindset. Don’t look at it as a negative. Being a signed NHL goaltender, there are not many, so that is another feather in his hat.”

One improvement in the team’s play from a season ago, after nine games, is the number of goals allowed.  This season the team has surrendered 32 goals, compared to 37 in 2021-2022.

At the other end of the ice, the Rockets aren’t out of the gates with the same type of offensive flair. With 28 goals scored after nine games, that is seven fewer than a year ago.

“We know we are going to be competitive, we just need to do it over 60 minutes,” Mallette concluded.