Adding and prior to the trade deadline came with a cost for the Kelowna Rockets.

Two rounds into the 2017 postseason, the two veteran forwards continue to pay dividends for the Western Hockey League club.

The sharpshooting Gardiner, 21, who the Rockets acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders in January, has met all expectations since arriving from Scranton Wilkes-Barre of the American Hockey League.

In 28 regular season games, the Humboldt, SK native had 18 goals and 37 points, which included a 15-game point scoring streak.

Through eight playoff games, the Pittsburgh Penguins害羞草研究所� prospect was leading the Rockets with six goals and 10 points.

In landing Gardiner, the Rockets had to give up a first-round WHL bantam draft pick along with a conditional fifth rounder, but the returns have been abundant.

害羞草研究所淩eid has come to the fore like we expected,害羞草研究所� said Rockets害羞草研究所� assistant GM Lorne Frey. 害羞草研究所淲e knew he was going to score and he害羞草研究所檚 done exactly that. He害羞草研究所檚 a skilled player who has fit in very well with our group.害羞草研究所�

Playing on Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 top line, Gardiner was quick to find chemistry along with Nick Merkley and Calvin Thurkauf.

As for his decision to return to major junior for one last run at a WHL title, Gardiner is enjoying the ride.

害羞草研究所淚 want to take everything in and soak it up, I害羞草研究所檝e never been this far in the playoffs,害羞草研究所� said Gardiner, who scored 43 goals last season in Prince Albert. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 one of the older guys, I want to really enjoy this, but at the same time I want to give it everything I have and not have any regrets.

害羞草研究所淭his is a great place to play and I wanted to come back to a team that wanted to win,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 happy with my decision and hopefully we can finish this off the right way.害羞草研究所�

Acquired from the Calgary Hitmen for forward Jake Kryski, Twarynski was brought in to provide a blend of energy, physicality and scoring and, like Gardiner, has met his new club害羞草研究所檚 expectations.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Calgary native had 22 points in 28 regular season games, then added four points in the Rockets first eight postseason games, while pushing his overall play to another level.

While the trade to Kelowna in January marked an abrupt change in the 19-year-old foward害羞草研究所檚 life and career, Twarynski couldn害羞草研究所檛 have asked for a much more desirable situation.

害羞草研究所淎t the start it was a little different living away from home for the first time, but it害羞草研究所檚 been good for me, good to change things up,害羞草研究所� said Twarynski, 19. 害羞草研究所淭he guys welcomed me, I got used to it pretty quick, and it害羞草研究所檚 easier when you害羞草研究所檙e coming to such a good team.

害羞草研究所淣ow hopefully we can continue this run we害羞草研究所檝e started.害羞草研究所�

Frey said Twarynski has filled a valuable role for the Rockets.

害羞草研究所淥nce the playoffs started, he害羞草研究所檚 just elevated his game,害羞草研究所� Frey said of Twarsynki, a third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. 害羞草研究所淲e needed a bigger body up front, a good 200-foot player and he害羞草研究所檚 provided that for us.

害羞草研究所淏oth guys have helped us immensely.害羞草研究所�

Games 3 and 4 of the Rockets害羞草研究所� best-of-seven series against the Winterhawks goes tonight and Wednesday in Portland. The Rockets lead the series two games to none. Game 5, if needed, goes Friday in Kelowna.