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 Penguins含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淩eid has come to the fore like we expected,含羞草研究社� said Rockets含羞草研究社� assistant GM Lorne Frey. 含羞草研究社淲e knew he was going to score and he含羞草研究社檚 done exactly that. He含羞草研究社檚 a skilled player who has fit in very well with our group.含羞草研究社�

Playing on Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淚 want to take everything in and soak it up, I含羞草研究社檝e never been this far in the playoffs,含羞草研究社� said Gardiner, who scored 43 goals last season in Prince Albert. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 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.

含羞草研究社淭his is a great place to play and I wanted to come back to a team that wanted to win,含羞草研究社� he added. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 happy with my decision and hopefully we can finish this off the right way.含羞草研究社�

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 club含羞草研究社檚 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 foward含羞草研究社檚 life and career, Twarynski couldn含羞草研究社檛 have asked for a much more desirable situation.

含羞草研究社淎t the start it was a little different living away from home for the first time, but it含羞草研究社檚 been good for me, good to change things up,含羞草研究社� said Twarynski, 19. 含羞草研究社淭he guys welcomed me, I got used to it pretty quick, and it含羞草研究社檚 easier when you含羞草研究社檙e coming to such a good team.

含羞草研究社淣ow hopefully we can continue this run we含羞草研究社檝e started.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淥nce the playoffs started, he含羞草研究社檚 just elevated his game,含羞草研究社� Frey said of Twarsynki, a third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. 含羞草研究社淲e needed a bigger body up front, a good 200-foot player and he含羞草研究社檚 provided that for us.

含羞草研究社淏oth guys have helped us immensely.含羞草研究社�

Games 3 and 4 of the Rockets含羞草研究社� 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.