A22 www.kelownacapnews.com
Friday, October 25, 2013 Capital NewsC
SPORTS
WHL Rockets bound for Vancouver Island for pair with Royals
▼ MAJOR MIDGETS HOCKEY
Rockets forward makes NCAA commitment
Warren Henderson STAFF REPORTER
After playing eight of their first 11 games at home, the Kelowna Rockets will get more acquainted with life on the road over the next two weeks. This Friday and Saturday nights, the Rockets will be at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for a weekend doubleheader against the Victoria Royals. “We’ll get to spend some time together on the bus, away from the distractions of home,” said Rockets head coach Ryan Huska. “It’ll be good for the guys. “Playing two games in Victoria against the Royals will be a good, tough challenge for us.” The Royals (9-6-0) are an improved club over last season and currently lead the B.C. Division with 18 points, two better than the Rockets (7-2-0-2). However, Kelowna does hold four games in hand. Victoria’s attack is led by 20-year-old centre Logan Nelson (8 goals, 18 points), while Patrik Polivka (2.61 goals against) is the Royals’ workhorse in goal. The Royals edged Kelowna 4-3 in a shootout in the first meeting of the season on Sept. 28 at Prospera Place. After Victoria, the Rockets will have next week off before hitting the road again for Prince George, where Kelowna will take on the Cougars Nov. 1 and 2. The Rockets’ next home action is Wednesday, Nov. 6 against the Red Deer Rebels.
Okanagan Rockets forward Liam Finlay has verbally committed to the Denver Pioneers NCAA Division 1 hockey program for the 2016-2017 season. Rockets general manager David Michaud said that this is an exciting time for the 5-foot-7, 145-pound Finlay and the entire organization. “Liam’s development has progressed rapidly since joining the British Columbia Major Midget League (BCMML) last season as a 15-year-old,” said Michaud. “We are thrilled to have played a key role in Liam’s progression as a player. To have one of our players commit to an elite NCAA Division 1 hockey program early in his second year of midget hockey is a very rare occurrence and speaks to Liam’s dedication and
Total Car Care.
• Lube, oil (5W/20 or 30) and filter • Rotate and inspect 4 tires • Top off windshield washer fluid • Courtesy check including Visual Brake Check:
49
$
*
Plus Tax. Most Vehicles.
Denver for the 2016-17 season. play in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Pioneers rank second among all US Schools in all-time NCAA Men’s Ice Hock-
A busy weekend faces the West Kelowna Warriors who will play three BCHL games on the road in the span of less than 72 hours. On Friday, the Warriors will visit the Coquitlam Express, followed by a stop in Langley Saturday night, before closing out the weekend Sunday afternoon in Surrey
against the Eagles. West Kelowna (10-40-1) trails the Penticton Vees (10-3-1-1) by just a point for top spot in the Interior Division. The Warriors next home action is Nov. 2 against Trail.
KELOWNA CHIEFS…
The Kelowna Chiefs carry a five-game KIJHL winning streak into this
DO YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR
SCHOOL OR MINOR SPORTS
✓ Battery ✓ Fluids ✓ Air Filter ✓ Antifreeze level and strength ✓ Lights, hoses, belts & more...
For an Additional
Install Your Set of Mounted Winter Tires
WARREN HENDERSON/CAPITAL NEWS
OKANAGAN Rockets forward Liam Finlay has committed to the University of ey Championships with 7, most recently in 2004 and 2005. Over 60 Denver Pioneers have gone on to play in the National Hockey League including Kei-
th Magnuson and Kevin Dineen, and current NHL players 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner Matt Carle (Tampa Bay) Tyler Bozak (Toronto) and Paul Stastny (Colorado).
Busy weekend for junior hockey clubs
Winter Maintenance Package Service Includes:
perseverance. “This is a young player who combines elite skills with a terrific work ethic and is an ambassador for our program.” To date with the Okanagan Rockets, Finlay has posted 16 goals and 52 assists in 48 career regular season games. This season, he has six goals and 18 points in seven games. Finlay recently committed to play the 2014-15 season with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). As a reserve player for Penticton this season, Finlay has one assist in three games played. Finlay is excited about his decision to commit to the Pioneers. “In researching NCAA hockey programs with my family, we felt that the University of Denver (DU) was a model program,” Finlay said. “DU has an excellent reputation both academically and scholastically. I am very interested in their business program and, of course, the long track record of Denver Pioneer hockey success was very appealing.” The Pioneers currently
20
$
**
Plus Tax. Most Vehicles.
TE
S M A featured in the sports pages of the
CAPITAL NEWS? Contact sports reporter
WARREN HENDERSON at
2460 (B) Dobbin Rd. 250-768-2722 * Up to 5 litres of oil. Synthetic or other grades of oil extra. Environmental disposal and shop fees may be charged, where permitted by law. Diesel vehicles, custom wheels and vehicles with TPMS may be extra. Installation of seasonal tires extra. See manager for details. **Winter tires must be mounted on separate wheels. If tires require mounting on rims, additional charges will apply. Wheel balance extra. Not valid with other offers. See manager for details. © 2013 Midas Canada Inc.
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com or call 250.763.3212 The Capital News also welcomes contributed photos and write-ups from parents & coaches.
weekend’s action as they host the Nelson Leafs on Saturday. Face off at Rutland Arena is 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Chiefs
will visit Princeton. Kelowna (10-3-0-1) is in top spot in the Okanagan Division, three points ahead of Osoyoos.
Briefs: Women’s hoops league underway The Kelowna Women’s Basketball League season is underway with eight teams competing. Here’s look at the scores from opening week: • Lake Country Building Center 54 Lakeview Market Rainmakers 40 Lake Country: Ashlee Williams 11 pts, Laura Campbell 11 pts Lakeview Market: Mel Coon 20 pts • ServCo Surge 52 LifeMark 41 ServCo: Kim Whelpton 14 pts, Robyn Buna 13 pts, Melissa Irish 12 pts LifeMark: Mandy Trenholm 21 pts • Rookies 44 Blue Steel 30 Rookies: Cassidy Schultz 19 pts Blue Steel: Renee Webb-Pelchat 7 pts • Triple Threat 87 Crazy Eights 23 Triple Threat: Roz Huber 23 pts, Kirsten Mulleny 17 pts, Meghan Faust 16 pts, Deb Sanberg 14 pts, Lisa Nevoral 14 pts Crazy Eights: Alana Brook 9 pts
FIELD HOCKEY…
The KSS Owls are hosting their annual Golden Pumpkin girls field hockey tournament this weekend at the CNC turf. Eight teams are competing, including the host Owls, OKM, Pen Hi and Collingwood. Action kicks off Friday morning, with the final set for 4 p.m. Saturday.