The Kelowna Rockets face off against the Everett Silvertips in the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. After a first-round sweep over the Kamloops Blazers, the Rockets will look to continue their momentum against the top-seeded Silvertips, who also swept their first-round series. This matchup is significant as it's the first playoff encounter since 2010, when the Rockets triumphed in seven games. Despite losing all regular-season games to Everett, Kelowna led in play for approximately 65% of those contests, highlighting their competitive edge. Key players Tij Iginla and Vojtech Cihar will be pivotal for the Rockets鈥� success.

By the Numbers
  • Kelowna Rockets finished the regular season 38-21-6-3, ranked 4th in the Western Conference.
  • Everett Silvertips finished 57-8-2-1, ranked 1st in the Western Conference.
State of Play
  • Kelowna's Tij Iginla led the team with 10 points in the first round.
  • Everett outscored Portland 25-5 in their opening series.
What's Next

Game 1 is scheduled for April 10, with Games 3 and 4 taking place in Kelowna on April 14 and 15. If the Rockets can leverage their past performance despite regular-season losses, they may pose a serious threat to Everett's dominance in the series. The matchup will test both teams鈥� abilities to adapt and capitalize on previous encounters.

Bottom Line

The Rockets need to harness their competitive spirit and the chemistry of their top players to challenge a powerful Silvertips squad. This series is pivotal for Kelowna, as advancing would mark a significant milestone toward their championship aspirations.