Rockets outlasted by high scoring Wheat Kings

The Kelowna Rockets saw a promising start unravel Friday night in Brandon, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Wheat Kings as momentum swung sharply in a hostile, high-energy building.

Kelowna opened the scoring early and built a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Hiroki Gojsic and Hayden Paupanekis, appearing in control before the game turned in a matter of seconds. Brandon responded with urgency, striking twice in 57 seconds to erase the deficit and grab momentum. By the end of the opening period, the Wheat Kings had surged ahead 3-2, setting the tone for the rest of the night.

“I thought it was a really good start for our guys,” Rockets associate coach Don Hay told RocketFAN. “We were ready to play and did some good things early.”

The Wheat Kings continued to press in the second period, capitalizing on opportunities and stretching their lead to 5-2 after 40 minutes. The atmosphere inside Assiniboine Credit Union Place, heightened by teddy bear toss night, played a role as the crowd fed off Brandon’s push.

“It was almost like the air was let out of the balloon,” Hay said after the teddy bear toss goal. “You’re up in a big building, it’s teddy bear toss night, the place is hopping, and then the momentum swings.”

Kelowna struggled to regain footing as the game progressed, with mental lapses proving costly against a deep and explosive Brandon lineup that has scored 6 or more goals 13 times this season.

“There were some real bad mental mistakes,” Hay said. “More mental than physical. Those hurt us.”

Despite the deficit, the Rockets showed pushback in the third period, refusing to let the game slip away. Kelowna generated pressure, cut into the lead on the power play with a goal from Carson Wetsch, and had a chance to make things uncomfortable before time ran out.

“I thought the third period was really good,” Hay said. “Guys standing up and really saying, ‘Hey, we’re not quitting, we’re going to battle for our group.’ That was important.”

Still, Brandon managed the game effectively down the stretch and sealed the deal with an empty-net goal to win for a fifth straight time.

Hay was candid in his assessment afterward, crediting the Wheat Kings while acknowledging his team’s inconsistencies.

“I thought Brandon was the better team tonight,” he said. “We did good things at times, but not enough.”

The Rockets were also dealing with a shortened lineup, missing key contributors due to injury and international commitments, but Hay made it clear that excuses won’t earn points in the Western Hockey League.

“We can’t sit there and say ‘poor us,’” he said. “We have to find a way to gain points with the group that we have.”

Discipline and decision-making were areas of concern, particularly against a Brandon power play capable of making teams pay quickly. They ended the night going 2 for 5 with the extra man, despite coming into the weekend awarded the fewest power play chances in the entire league.

“You don’t want to take five penalties,” Hay said. “They’re an explosive team. You’ve got a 2-0 lead, build on that lead, but don’t give up anything.”

Hay emphasized that the solution isn’t playing scared, but playing smarter.

“You still have to be aggressive at the right times,” he said. “Play tighter, win more puck battles, more races, and get our compete level where it needs to be to be successful.”

With little time to dwell on the loss, Kelowna now turns its attention to a quick turnaround as the road trip continues. The Rockets head east to Regina for an afternoon matchup, facing a rested opponent and another demanding test.

“That’s life in the Western Hockey League,” Hay said. “This is a business trip. We’ve got to take care of some business.”

Preparation, recovery, and mindset will be key in the hours ahead.

“We’ve got to get food into us, get the fluids into us, get some rest on the bus,” Hay said. “Then bring energy and enthusiasm against the Pats. That’s what you have to bring to compete and win.”