PENTICTON, British Columbia (Interstat) — The Penticton Vees will host the Kelowna Rockets on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in a Western Hockey League minor league hockey game at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, British Columbia. Penticton enters as the home team with a 1-1 record, while Kelowna is visiting with an 0-1 mark. The game is the first half of a home-and-home set between the teams. Penticton is the designated home team, and Kelowna is the designated visiting team.

Kelowna will look to left wing Ryan Oothoudt, who has been among the team’s most active players early this season. In his most recent outing on Sept. 19 at the Vancouver Giants, Oothoudt scored one goal and recorded six shots on goal in a 3-2 overtime loss. The Rockets most recently fell 3-2 in overtime at Vancouver on Sept. 19. Owen Folstrom, a center, added one assist and two shots on goal with two penalty minutes in that game. Peyton Kettles, a right defenseman, scored one goal, put four shots on goal and served four penalty minutes.

Penticton will counter with center Nate Pederson, who produced a strong performance in the Vees’ most recent game. On Sept. 19 at the Prince George Cougars, Pederson scored two goals and recorded four shots on goal in a 5-1 win. In the previous game on Sept. 18 at Prince George, he recorded one shot on goal in a 1-3 loss. Penticton’s latest result was a 5-1 victory at Prince George on Sept. 19. Callum Stone, a left defenseman, scored one goal and added one assist with two shots on goal and four penalty minutes. Gavin Katz, a right wing, contributed one goal, two assists and four shots on goal.

The Vees also dropped a 4-1 decision at Prince George on Sept. 18. The teams will meet again quickly, with Penticton at Kelowna on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kelowna then hosts Kamloops on Friday, Oct. 2, before visiting Kamloops on Saturday, Oct. 3. Penticton is scheduled to host Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 2 and Tri-City on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Kelowna’s next stretch includes the home-and-home rematch with Penticton and two games against Kamloops. Penticton will follow the Kelowna rematch with home games against Vancouver and Tri-City. Kelowna has played one game, and Penticton has played two entering Friday’s contest at South Okanagan Events Centre. Kelowna’s most recent game ended in overtime, while Penticton’s most recent game ended in a four-goal win.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Penticton 4, Kelowna 3.