As the holidays are over, sports are returning to the Central Okanagan.
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets look to continue their hot play of late as they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings to Prospera Place on Friday night in the first home game of 2024.
Since Nov. 21, the Rockets have won 10 of their last 14 games, including winning two of three games between Christmas and New Year91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s.
A big part of the team91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s recent success is forward Andrew Cristall, who91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s coming off of a five-point performance against Calgary. The Washington Capitals prospect has a 16-game point streak, where he has 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists).
Also, team captain Gabriel Szturc is just nine points away from becoming the franchise leader in points by a European.
Captain Gabby has his sights set on passing Vaclav Varada's 173 points posted as a Rocket.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
The record was set in 1996, seven years before Gabriel Szturc was born.
Going into the weekend, the Rockets firmly sit in sixth in the WHL91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Western Conference with a record of 17-16-2-0, 10 points behind Everett and three points ahead of Tri-City.
On Friday night, Kelowna welcomes Edmonton to town, who sit last in the Eastern Conference with a 13-20-1-1 record. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
The next night, the Rockets travel down to Wenatchee to take on the Wild at the Toyota Town Center. The Wild are having an outstanding inaugural year as they are 23-13-3-0, second in the west. Saturday91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s puck drop is at 6 p.m.
West Kelowna Warriors
The West Kelowna Warriors are also back on home ice on Friday night as they welcome the Merritt Centennials for the first of three meetings between them in January.
Since Nov. 22, the team has been playing outstanding hockey as they are 10-0-2 in that span. They currently sit second in the BCHL91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Interior Conference with a 20-6-4-0 record, just two points behind the Penticton Vees.
Merritt is currently seventh in the conference - 11-15-3-1. Friday night91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s game is the first of four straight at Royal LePage Place for the Warriors. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
The Warriors are then back in action on Saturday night as the Cranbrook Bucks (13-17-1-0) come to town. Puck drop is also at 7 p.m.
Kelowna Chiefs
For the first time since Dec. 17, the Kelowna Chiefs are also back in action on Friday night, taking on the North Okanagan Knights.
With a regulation win on Friday night, the Chiefs (9-18-2-1) would be back into a tie with the Knights (9-15-2-3) for the second in the KIJHL91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Bill Ohlhausen Division. Puck drop is at 7:15 p.m.
On Saturday night, Kelowna returns to Rutland Arena and welcomes the Nelson Leafs (13-13-1-1) to town. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
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