In their first home game in almost three weeks, the Kelowna Rockets undermanned roster fell 4-3 to the Vancouver Giants Wednesday night.

Kelowna was without three top forwards, including Nolan Foote who害羞草研究所檚 with Team Canada at the World Juniors, Liam Kindree who害羞草研究所檚 dealing with an injury and Dillon Hamaliuk who害羞草研究所檚 still out with an illness. The Rockets were also without defenceman Sean Comrie.

Despite the limited roster, the Rockets battled hard against the Giants, with new Kelowna players Matthew Wedman, Conner McDonald and Jadon Joseph contributing on the stat sheet with five points.

Pavel Novak got the opening goal for the Rockets, while Joseph picked up his first in a Kelowna jersey in the third before Wedman added his third as a Rocket. McDonald added three assists in his first game with Kelowna since being acquired on Dec. 14.

The Giants had a goal lead in the dying minutes, but Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 last efforts weren害羞草研究所檛 enough to send the game to overtime as Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 record moves to 14-7-1-2.

Rockets害羞草研究所� general manager Bruce Hamilton said wins in these divisional battles are imperative going down the stretch.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e going to be in against some great teams in our division come playoffs,害羞草研究所� said Hamilton.

害羞草研究所淎s well as two to three really strong U.S. teams, we害羞草研究所檙e going to have our hands full regardless.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Warriors complete comeback for 6th win of the season

Kelowna will now head into the WHL holiday break, which couldn害羞草研究所檛 come at a better time for the Rockets as the roster looks to get healthy after their long prairie road-trip as well as some R&R with families for the holidays.

The Rockets return to action Dec. 27 as the second half of the season starts.

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