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

琉璃神社 was without three top forwards, including Nolan Foote who鈥檚 with Team Canada at the World Juniors, Liam Kindree who鈥檚 dealing with an injury and Dillon Hamaliuk who鈥檚 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 琉璃神社 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 琉璃神社 jersey in the third before Wedman added his third as a Rocket. McDonald added three assists in his first game with 琉璃神社 since being acquired on Dec. 14.

The Giants had a goal lead in the dying minutes, but 琉璃神社鈥檚 last efforts weren鈥檛 enough to send the game to overtime as 琉璃神社鈥檚 record moves to 14-7-1-2.

Rockets鈥� general manager Bruce Hamilton said wins in these divisional battles are imperative going down the stretch.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be in against some great teams in our division come playoffs,鈥� said Hamilton.

鈥淎s well as two to three really strong U.S. teams, we鈥檙e going to have our hands full regardless.鈥�

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

琉璃神社 will now head into the WHL holiday break, which couldn鈥檛 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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