The Kelowna Rockets were one of the Western Hockey League害羞草研究所檚 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 Blazers害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think we could have asked that first (game) to go any better,害羞草研究所� said Twarynski, who the Rockets acquired from the Calgary Hitmen prior to the WHL trade deadline in January. 害羞草研究所淲e were all over them, stuck to our game plan and obviously it worked out.
害羞草研究所淏ut Kamloops isn害羞草研究所檛 a team that害羞草研究所檚 going to fold right away,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e happy about that one but we害羞草研究所檝e gotta focus on the next game and do the same thing.害羞草研究所�
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 night害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淭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,害羞草研究所� said Smith. 害羞草研究所淟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.害羞草研究所�
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.
