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Okanagan squads take lead in first round of WHL playoffs

A hockey player celebrates a goal.
Vojtech Cihar clocked two goals in game four and is tied with teammate Tij Iginla as top playoff scorer so far. SUBMITTED/Kelowna Rockets

The WHL playoffs are underway and both Okanagan teams have a pair of wins under their belts as they head into game three.

Kelowna is facing longtime rivals the Kamloops Blazers and they’re heading back to the Tournament Capital after a dominating 5-1 victory on Saturday, March 28.

The Rockets are now leading the best-of-seven series with two wins.

It’s the first time they’ve faced each other in the playoffs since 2017, getting another chance test the rivalry after the 2020 postseason cancelled.

Game one ended with a Kelowna 3-1 victory at Prospera Place, and the Rockets clocked 29 shots on goal compared to 17 for Kamloops.

In game two, Kelowna had 49 shots on goal while Kamloops had 35.

Star forwards Tij Iginla and Vojtech Cihar are playing key roles for the Rockets, each accounting for three of their eight postseason goals so far.

Meanwhile, the Penticton Vees are off to a strong start in their first-ever WHL postseason series.

The South Okanagan squad has the advantage over the Seattle Thunderbirds with two back-to-back wins.

Penticton emerged with a 3-2 overtime victory in game one followed by a 4-1 win on Saturday.

They stepped into the playoffs after back-to-back victories against Kelowna and a record-breaking inaugural WHL season.

With Kelowna and Penticton off to a strong start this postseason, the Okanagan could be in for several weeks of high-intensity hockey as the Memorial Cup tournament approaches.

Both series pick up again tomorrow.

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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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