Rockets win twice on home-ice

That early push could have changed the game. Instead, it became the turning point.

Boettiger held the fort, making key saves to keep the game scoreless and give his team time to settle in. As the period wore on, the Rockets began to respond when Vojtech Cihar opened the scoring for his third of the series.

“Then we started to get to our identity of how we want to play,” McMillan said. “I thought we took the game over as it went on.”

That shift carried into the second period, where Kelowna began to dictate the pace and generate consistent offensive pressure.

Cihar led the way with a goal and two assists, using his speed and skill to create chances throughout the night. Tij Iginla was just as dangerous, scoring twice and adding an assist. His second goal, a sharp-angle shot that found the top corner, stood out as one of the key moments of the game.

While the offence delivered, the emotional spark came earlier with the return of captain Carson Wetsch.

Back in the lineup after a one-game suspension, Wetsch made his presence felt immediately. In the first period, when the Rockets were under pressure, he responded with several big hits, helping shift the energy inside the building.

“It was awesome to have Wetsch back in the lineup,” McMillan said. “He brought a lot of energy. You could see it early, getting in on the forecheck, using his body, getting some big hits. It gave life to the building and to our group.”

That energy spread quickly. The Rockets began to win more battles, sustain more pressure, and force Kamloops into defending for longer stretches.

By the third period, Kelowna was in control.

Wetsch added a goal to cap his return, while the Rockets continued to press offensively, finishing the night with 49 shots. But even in a convincing win, the coaching staff saw areas that need to improve before the series shifts on the road.

“We like our 49 shots, but we don’t like theirs,” McMillan said.

Kamloops finished with 35 shots, many of them quality chances, particularly in the first period. For a team focused on structure and detail, that remains a concern.

“We didn’t defend well enough tonight,” McMillan said. “We gave them too many opportunities and too many good looks. That’s not the way you’re going to win in the playoffs consistently.”

Still, what separated the Rockets was the ability of its skilled players.

They did not panic when the game was tilted against them early. They relied on their goaltender, stayed patient, and waited for their moment. When it came, they took over.

“The guys worked really hard,” McMillan said. “They were in the battles. There were some huge shifts, and some momentum swings that we grabbed that really turned the tide in the game.”

That combination of timely saves, key goals, and growing confidence turned a tight contest into a decisive win.

Now the focus shifts quickly to the next challenge.

The Rockets will head to Kamloops with a 2-0 series lead, but there is no sense of comfort inside the room.

“Just like we said last night, we’ve got to enjoy this one for a little bit,” McMillan said. “But by the time you go to sleep tonight, we’re turning the page.”

The Blazers will be energized on home ice, and the Rockets know what to expect.

“We’re going to Kamloops with the mindset that the series is even,” McMillan said. “Game 3 is going to be huge. They’re going to be excited to play in front of their fans, so we have to bring our effort and our team game.”

Two games into the series, the Rockets have shown they can handle adversity and take control when it matters most.

The next step is proving they can do it again on the road.

by Regan Bartel

Rockets win twice on home-ice

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