(Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

By Regan Bartel

Bounce back effort

Kelowna Rockets explode early, rout Giants

Feb 14, 2026 | 9:23 PM

A fast, angry start and a deep, balanced attack powered the Kelowna Rockets to a convincing bounce-back win Saturday night, as they crushed the Vancouver Giants 8-2 at Prospera Place.

Just 24 hours after a frustrating loss in Wenatchee to a team fighting for its playoff life, Kelowna responded with one of its most complete performances of the season against a non-playoff opponent, exploding for five first-period goals and never letting the Giants settle into the game.

It was a statement start.

The Rockets fired 20 shots in the opening period alone and limited Vancouver to just four, overwhelming the visitors with speed, pressure and relentless puck pursuit. By the time the first intermission arrived, the game had already tilted heavily in Kelowna’s favour.

Defenceman Mazden Leslie scored twice, while Owen Folstrom added two of his own. Tij Iginla led the way offensively with a four-point night, finishing with two goals and two assists as the Rockets earned their 28th victory of the season.

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Associate coach Don Hay said the response was exactly what his group needed after a short night and a disappointing result the evening before.

“It was a great start,” Hay said. “We didn’t get in until about 3:30 in the morning, but the guys rested and came ready. We were disappointed with the points we lost last night. Around this league, points are so valuable. Everybody is scratching and clawing for them.”

Kelowna’s early energy was driven by a heavy forecheck and a willingness to attack the middle of the ice. The Rockets consistently forced turnovers below the goal line and created traffic around the crease, leading to second and third chances that quickly broke the game open.

“We scored a lot of different ways,” Hay said. “We got a couple from [Mazden] Leslie on the back end, a couple from [Owen] Folstrom in a fourth-line role. A lot of guys were able to contribute. I really liked the way we forechecked and went to the net. We got goals from in front, and that’s something we haven’t done enough of.”

Leslie’s pair came from an aggressive night for Kelowna’s blue line, while Folstrom’s goals were built on speed and detail. His first was the result of pressure and a quick move to the front of the net, and his second came after finding open ice and snapping a clean shot through traffic.

“I really like his speed,” Hay said. “He can really make a difference with it. His first goal was a hardworking goal. He went to the net and got a rebound. On the other one, he found open ice and got a good shot off. I’ve got a soft spot for guys who work hard in those roles. It’s not an easy job.”

Iginla’s impact stretched far beyond the scoresheet. He drove play through the neutral zone, created space off the rush and was involved in multiple extended offensive-zone shifts that wore down the Giants’ defence.

After the emotional first period, Kelowna briefly eased off early in the second. Hay said the coaching staff noticed a small dip, but the Rockets quickly stabilized and finished the night with a composed, professional effort.

“There was a little bit of a lull after such a big first period,” he said. “But in the second and third, we were really solid. We overpowered Vancouver to start the game, and after that, we stayed in control.”

The win also continued a season-long push for consistency for a talented Rockets roster that has struggled at times to string together complete efforts.

“We want to be on our A-game every night,” Hay said. “But we’ve been inconsistent. We’ve been up and down. By this point in the season, you’d like to have that figured out. We do have a talented team, but we want to become more of a hardworking team, more of a compete team, more of a wear-you-down team. We’re still working on that.”

Folstrom’s development has been one of the quieter positives in that process. Hay praised the forward’s versatility and reliability in different roles throughout the lineup.

“He can play center or wing. He kills penalties, and he’s been on the power play,” Hay said. “He’s a guy we’ve used all year. If we need to bump somebody up, he can fill that role. He’s got the skill to move up and the grit to play in different spots.”

Saturday’s victory also had immediate meaning in the Western Conference standings.

With the two points, Kelowna remains three points back of the Prince George Cougars for third place, but now opens up a two-point lead on the Kamloops Blazers in the race for fifth.

The Rockets were also watching the out-of-town scoreboard closely after the game, with the tight playoff picture continuing to shift by the night.

“It’s that time of year,” Hay said. “Everyone is fighting for playoff spots. There are no easy nights.”

Kelowna will be right back in action Monday afternoon on Family Day when the Tri-City Americans visit Prospera Place.