It was like going back in time on Tuesday night: Prospera Place was sold out and fans briefly performed the Wave during the third period.
“It was great to see people back in the building like this,” said kelowna rockets President & General Manager bruce hamiltonWhose
in a highly entertaining game in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 6,407.
The last time Kelowna sold out its home rink was on December 27, 2019, when 6,206 people watched rockets fall 4-0 To Kamloops Blazers,
Kelowna’s rink seats 6,007, and the last time a crowd exceeded 6,400 was on May 13, 2015, when 6,428 saw the Rockets evacuate. Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 to sweep the WHL Championship Series 4–0.
In that game, Leon Draysatel had a goal and an assist for Kelowna.
Fast forward to Tuesday night, and hockey’s youngest star was in the house: conor bedard,
With the game already sold out, there was demand to see the North Vancouver, BC, product who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NHL draft.
Bedard did not disappoint and showed why he is the unanimous top choice. In fact, during the third period, some fans could be heard saying that wanted to see them play longer, wanting to take the game to a shootout.
The five-foot-10 center had other plans, however, as he slapped one on the power play at 3:07 of overtime to set up the game-winning goal. It was his only point of the game, although his presence created openings for his teammates.
“It was a special teams battle,” said Rockets head coach Chris Mallett.
“We made it through 60 minutes – 60 minutes keeping him off the scoreboard. I thought whoever he was on the ice against did a really good job.
“You give opportunities to some good players, and they’re going to pay you.”
Mallett said that Bedard is actually a flamboyant player – “he can turn on a dime, change the pace, and it doesn’t take him long to get off his shot.”
Yet Bedard Played As Well As He Had With Rockets Forward Andrew Crystal, who scored two goals and two assists, including the game-tying goal that made it 5–5 at 19:08 of the third. That marker, his 18th of the season, came on a 6-on-3 power play.
Bedded Is the league’s leading scorer with 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists), while Crystal is second with 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists).
“Historically, (standing room crowds) come during the Christmas season, where everyone is excited to go home for the holidays,” Hamilton said.
“Last night was special because he got a chance to see a young phenom. And the young phenom on our team gave (Bedard) a run for his money.
The game started off slow, and tentative, but picked up pace in the second after several big hits and good plays. Play Elevated, which was good for the more than 60 NHL scouts in attendance.
Hamilton said, “There’s a whole bunch of scouts that aren’t looking at Bedard because his team will have no chance.” “But guys like Crystal and (defenseman) Caden PriceThose are the people scouts are following now.
Notably, Bedard was penalized for goalkeeper interference in the third. And for a brief period, some fans tried to take selfies with Bedard in the penalty box. Soon, security escorts him away.
Looking ahead, the Pats are in Kamloops to tilt against the Blazers on Wednesday night. They kick off their five-game BC road swing on Friday in Prince George, though the Pats will also travel to Edmonton on Sunday.
Regina’s next home game is on Saturday, December 10 against Calgary.
Meanwhile, the Rockets will head south this weekend for a three-game US Division road trip against Spokane, Tri-Cities and Everett.
Kelowna’s next home match is against Victoria on Friday, 9 December.
“It’s great to see people’s interest and imagination spark a player of that caliber,” Hamilton said. “We hope people are excited to come to the Games.
“And it’s not just the game. It’s about the atmosphere of being out together and socializing.
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