Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

No third period rally this time

The Rockets close 2025 searching for traction

Dec 30, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The Kelowna Rockets wrapped up the calendar year still looking for their footing.

Monday night at Prospera Place was supposed to be an opportunity — a chance to make up ground on a divisional rival. Instead, it turned into a reminder of how unforgiving the Western Conference can be. The Rockets fell 6–4 to the Penticton Vees, their 13th loss of the season, and a result that nudged Penticton three points clear in the BC Division race as 2025 came to a close.

Associate coach Don Hay didn’t dance around the issue afterward.

“It was a disappointing start,” Hay said. “I thought Penticton was faster than us. They were hungrier than us, and they were more competitive than us.”

That edge showed early. The Vees played with pace and purpose right from the opening faceoff, forcing Kelowna into chase mode. The Rockets struggled to establish any sustained offensive-zone pressure, finishing the night with just 26 shots — a sharp drop from the more than 60 they fired two nights earlier.

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For Hay, that swing said plenty.

“You have to be predictable in how you play the game,” he said. “Last game we come out and get over 60 shots. Tonight we get 26. You can’t fluctuate like that. To be a really competitive team, you have to do it all the time.”

Shane Smith helped keep the Rockets afloat. The veteran forward scored twice, delivering timely goals that gave Kelowna life when it needed it. The power play chipped in as well, converting twice on three chances, and late in the second period the Rockets pulled within one at 4–3.

But every surge was answered.

Early in the third period, with the game still there to be taken, a loose puck battle swung Penticton’s way. Moments later, the Vees restored their two-goal cushion.

“That one really hurt us,” Hay said. “The puck was there, but we didn’t win it. Those moments end up costing you.”

Shot lanes were another sore spot. Penticton’s forwards consistently got in front of attempts, taking away time and space and cutting off second chances before they could develop.

“We talked about it before the game,” Hay said. “They block shots. Their forwards are really good at it. It doesn’t have to get on net — it just has to get past those guys. Even if it gets to the back wall, it gives our forwards a chance to go compete and get it back.”

Too often, Kelowna couldn’t get that far.

Discipline also became a factor. The game featured plenty of whistles, and while some calls drew visible frustration, Hay was blunt about where the responsibility lies.

“If you can’t control your game, you’re going to pay for it,” he said. “The penalties might have felt soft, or maybe one-sided, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t deserve them. We have to be smarter.”

Composure, in particular, was non-negotiable.

“Players play. Referees ref. Coaches coach,” Hay said. “There’s one guy who can talk to the referee, and that’s the head coach. When players lose their composure, things just get worse.”

To their credit, the Rockets never completely unraveled. They stayed within reach for much of the night, but as Hay pointed out, hanging around isn’t the same as dictating the game.

“They played a harder game than us,” he said. “They pushed us out. We stuck around, but they were the better team.”

The loss served as another example of how thin the margins are across the Western Conference. Points are disappearing nightly on late goals and overtime finishes, and there’s little forgiveness for off nights — especially at home.

“You can’t afford them,” Hay said. “Every point matters. The standings are tight, and every home game is important.”

Kelowna now turns the page quickly, heading into a home-and-home with the Kamloops Blazers — another divisional opponent sitting just a point away in the standings.

“They’ve got a really good core,” Hay said. “They can score, they have a strong power play, and they play their top guys a lot. They’re hungry to make the playoffs.”

The ask is clear.

“We have to meet the challenge,” Hay said. “And we have to play harder than them.”