The Kelowna Rockets were one of the Western Hockey League91裸聊视频檚 hottest teams heading into the 2016-17 postseason.
The Kamloops Blazers felt that heat on Friday night at Prospera Place.
Carsen Twarynski scored twice and added an assist and Michael Herringer made 15 saves as the Rockets shutout the Blazers of the best-of-seven playoff series between the B.C. Division rivals.
The Rockets dominated from start to finish in front of a crowd of 5,503, outshooting Kamloops 48-15 and solving Blazers91裸聊视频� goalie Connor Ingram with a pair of goals 28 seconds apart late in the opening period.
Twarynski scored at 17:20, followed by Tomas Soustal at 17:48 and the Rockets never looked back.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think we could have asked that first (game) to go any better,91裸聊视频� said Twarynski, who the Rockets acquired from the Calgary Hitmen prior to the WHL trade deadline in January. 91裸聊视频淲e were all over them, stuck to our game plan and obviously it worked out.
91裸聊视频淏ut Kamloops isn91裸聊视频檛 a team that91裸聊视频檚 going to fold right away,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e happy about that one but we91裸聊视频檝e gotta focus on the next game and do the same thing.91裸聊视频�
Soustal, who was playing his first game since March 1 due to an upper body injury, made a noticeable return to the lineup with a goal and an assist.
Reid Gardiner also scored for the Rockets, who had won 12 of their last 14 regular season games before Friday night91裸聊视频檚 playoff opener.
Kelowna head coach Jason Smith said the Rockets were able to carry over many of the good habits they developed late in the season.
91裸聊视频淭he way we ended the year, we played a lot of complete games and it gave us a chance to get the results we did,91裸聊视频� said Smith. 91裸聊视频淟eading up to the game, we talked about playing with composure and discipline and work ethic. Add structure to that and you give yourself an opportunity to win games.91裸聊视频�
Game 2 goes Saturday night, 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place. Games 3 and 4 are set for next Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Kamloops.
