Adding and prior to the trade deadline came with a cost for the Kelowna Rockets.

Two rounds into the 2017 postseason, the two veteran forwards continue to pay dividends for the Western Hockey League club.

The sharpshooting Gardiner, 21, who the Rockets acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders in January, has met all expectations since arriving from Scranton Wilkes-Barre of the American Hockey League.

In 28 regular season games, the Humboldt, SK native had 18 goals and 37 points, which included a 15-game point scoring streak.

Through eight playoff games, the Pittsburgh Penguins91裸聊视频� prospect was leading the Rockets with six goals and 10 points.

In landing Gardiner, the Rockets had to give up a first-round WHL bantam draft pick along with a conditional fifth rounder, but the returns have been abundant.

91裸聊视频淩eid has come to the fore like we expected,91裸聊视频� said Rockets91裸聊视频� assistant GM Lorne Frey. 91裸聊视频淲e knew he was going to score and he91裸聊视频檚 done exactly that. He91裸聊视频檚 a skilled player who has fit in very well with our group.91裸聊视频�

Playing on Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 top line, Gardiner was quick to find chemistry along with Nick Merkley and Calvin Thurkauf.

As for his decision to return to major junior for one last run at a WHL title, Gardiner is enjoying the ride.

91裸聊视频淚 want to take everything in and soak it up, I91裸聊视频檝e never been this far in the playoffs,91裸聊视频� said Gardiner, who scored 43 goals last season in Prince Albert. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 one of the older guys, I want to really enjoy this, but at the same time I want to give it everything I have and not have any regrets.

91裸聊视频淭his is a great place to play and I wanted to come back to a team that wanted to win,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 happy with my decision and hopefully we can finish this off the right way.91裸聊视频�

Acquired from the Calgary Hitmen for forward Jake Kryski, Twarynski was brought in to provide a blend of energy, physicality and scoring and, like Gardiner, has met his new club91裸聊视频檚 expectations.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Calgary native had 22 points in 28 regular season games, then added four points in the Rockets first eight postseason games, while pushing his overall play to another level.

While the trade to Kelowna in January marked an abrupt change in the 19-year-old foward91裸聊视频檚 life and career, Twarynski couldn91裸聊视频檛 have asked for a much more desirable situation.

91裸聊视频淎t the start it was a little different living away from home for the first time, but it91裸聊视频檚 been good for me, good to change things up,91裸聊视频� said Twarynski, 19. 91裸聊视频淭he guys welcomed me, I got used to it pretty quick, and it91裸聊视频檚 easier when you91裸聊视频檙e coming to such a good team.

91裸聊视频淣ow hopefully we can continue this run we91裸聊视频檝e started.91裸聊视频�

Frey said Twarynski has filled a valuable role for the Rockets.

91裸聊视频淥nce the playoffs started, he91裸聊视频檚 just elevated his game,91裸聊视频� Frey said of Twarsynki, a third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. 91裸聊视频淲e needed a bigger body up front, a good 200-foot player and he91裸聊视频檚 provided that for us.

91裸聊视频淏oth guys have helped us immensely.91裸聊视频�

Games 3 and 4 of the Rockets91裸聊视频� best-of-seven series against the Winterhawks goes tonight and Wednesday in Portland. The Rockets lead the series two games to none. Game 5, if needed, goes Friday in Kelowna.