The new guys and a huge night from World Junior bronze medallist Jakub Stancl was what the 91大黄鸭 Rockets needed to double up the Prince George Cougars 6-3 on Friday night at Prospera Place.

Coming off an emotional week as many veteran players were traded ahead of the WHL's trade deadline and a head coaching change, the team had a tough start as Prince George scored just 21 seconds into the game. The goal was Aiden Foster's fifth of the season.

They would add to their lead as Ben Riche added his 25th goal of the campaign to double Prince George's lead.

However, late in the period, 91大黄鸭 captain Max Graham found the back of the net for the 13th time this season to cut the deficit in half. Newly acquired Hayden Paupanekis assisted on the goal, as well as Stancl in his first game back from the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Just over halfway through the second period, Stancl scored his 12th to tie the game. Dawson Gerwing, who was acquired in a deal with Swift Current on Jan. 7, collected his first point as a Rocket while Jackson Gillespie added the second assist.

With under five minutes to go in the frame, Prince George regained its lead when Kayden Lemire scored his third goal of the season past Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon. 

But at the 18:27 mark, Stancl scored his second of the game on the power play to knot the game at three going into the third period. Graham and Kalder Varga assisted the goal.

A quick attack by more newly-acquired players changed the game in the Rockets' favour as defenceman Will Sharpe, also in his first game as a Rocket, and Gerwing scored nine seconds apart, in the first 46 seconds of the period to all of a sudden be up 5-3.

Sharpe's goal, his fourth of the year, was assisted by Stancl and Graham while Gerwing's was unassisted.

At the 12:37 mark, Stancl scored once again to complete the hat-trick and a five-point night. It was assisted by Graham and Paupanekis. 

"It feels great to be back," said Stancl after the game, who added he has another level of confidence after his performance at the World Juniors. "Nice to get the win with all the new guys." 

Pilon made 32 saves in net for the Rockets.

Meanwhile, there was no love lost between the teams as they combined for 88 penalty minutes. 

On top of everything, it was also interim head coach Derrick Martin's first career WHL win as a head coach, in his first game. He was named interim head coach after Kris Mallette was let go by the team on Friday morning. 

"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions," said Martin. "We had a responsibility tonight to our fans and to our players to get ready physically, emotionally, mentally and as a coach, somebody's whose been a part of this ride all season long, couldn't be more proud of our guys, thought they really responded tonight and put their best foot forward."

"That's as close to 60 minutes as we've seen from this group in a while," Martin added. 

"It was a little surprise for everyone," said Stancl in regards to the coaching change. "Another emotional morning for us."

With the win, the Rockets are 15-18-2-1, ninth in the Western Conference.

On Saturday night, they're back in action in Langley to take on the Vancouver Giants (19-16-5-0). Puck drop at the Langley Events Centre is at 7 p.m.