Photo credit: BLiessePhoto

By Regan Bartel

Two empty net goals seal the win

Rockets earn three of four points over the weekend

Jan 19, 2025 | 7:00 AM

Rhett Stoesser is capable of stealing games. He proved it as a member of the Red Deer Rebels and showed he could do the same for the Kelowna Rockets. 

The 19-year-old goaltender faced 52 shots and was named the first star Saturday night in a 5-2 road victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds. It was the most rubber the Cremona, Alberta resident has faced in 77 WHL appearances.

It was the team’s first road win against a US Division opponent since a 4-2 triumph over the Portland Winterhawks on November 27th. 

“Not a lot of passengers tonight,” Interim head coach Derrick Martin said after the game. “Guys did a lot of things we asked them to do, and we got contributions from throughout the lineup. Jackson Gillespie with two big ones [goals], and Rhett Stoesser, I mean, he was unbelievable.” 

Stoesser was especially crucial in the third period when the T-Birds mounted a strong push, scoring twice and sending 25 pucks his way. 

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“There weren’t a lot of moments we needed him big-time in the first 40 minutes, but when we did, he was there,” Martin said. “And in the third period, he clamped things down for us, giving us an opportunity to win and secure two big points, three of four on the weekend.” 

The two goals from Gillespie came as a surprise, especially considering the second-year defenseman had only two career goals in 79 games before his offensive explosion. 

“For us to be successful, we need contributions from all of our guys,” Martin added. “He’s a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. He works so hard for us every night. He works hard in practice, and he’s a consummate pro in his work ethic and attention to detail. He’s a shutdown guy, and he really embraces that part of the game, so to see him get rewarded, not once but twice, was great.” 

“The move on the power play even had me staring, wondering who that was,” Martin chuckled. “It’s not necessarily his game, but we gave him an opportunity, and he took full advantage of it.” 

It was a gutsy performance from a team playing without captain Max Graham (injury), Michael Cicek (illness), and Will Sharpe (illness). This marked the first time all season the team played without an overager in the lineup. 

“Every team goes through it,” Martin said, unwilling to use the lack of a full lineup as an excuse. “We didn’t come into the game feeling sorry for ourselves, but we have some guys who are banged up, some guys who are sick, and at this time of year, a lot of teams are dealing with it. Losing a defenseman [Gabriel Guilbault] in the third shift of the game was something our defense corps had to overcome. Some guys had to eat some big minutes in the third period. We leaned heavily on two lines and seven forwards, so I’m proud of them.” 

The win was vital for the Rockets to stay tied with Wenatchee for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, as the Wild earned a 4-2 victory over the Tri-Cities. 

“We talk about embracing hard things, and instead of talking about it, we went out and executed,” Martin said. 

With the Rockets leading 3-0 after 40 minutes, it was just the eighth time this season – on the road – the team had found themselves in that position. They are now 7-1-0-0 in those situations. 

“That’s what makes these games so fun,” Martin said. “You had to earn everything you got. Was it perfect? No. Were their things that leave us wanting more? Probably. 

“To come in here and do what we did and grab the two points, I’m satisfied with what I got from everybody tonight.”