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乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淩eid has come to the fore like we expected,乌鸦传媒� said Rockets乌鸦传媒� assistant GM Lorne Frey. 乌鸦传媒淲e knew he was going to score and he乌鸦传媒檚 done exactly that. He乌鸦传媒檚 a skilled player who has fit in very well with our group.乌鸦传媒�

Playing on Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒淚 want to take everything in and soak it up, I乌鸦传媒檝e never been this far in the playoffs,乌鸦传媒� said Gardiner, who scored 43 goals last season in Prince Albert. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 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.

乌鸦传媒淭his is a great place to play and I wanted to come back to a team that wanted to win,乌鸦传媒� he added. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 happy with my decision and hopefully we can finish this off the right way.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 life and career, Twarynski couldn乌鸦传媒檛 have asked for a much more desirable situation.

乌鸦传媒淎t the start it was a little different living away from home for the first time, but it乌鸦传媒檚 been good for me, good to change things up,乌鸦传媒� said Twarynski, 19. 乌鸦传媒淭he guys welcomed me, I got used to it pretty quick, and it乌鸦传媒檚 easier when you乌鸦传媒檙e coming to such a good team.

乌鸦传媒淣ow hopefully we can continue this run we乌鸦传媒檝e started.乌鸦传媒�

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

乌鸦传媒淥nce the playoffs started, he乌鸦传媒檚 just elevated his game,乌鸦传媒� Frey said of Twarsynki, a third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. 乌鸦传媒淲e needed a bigger body up front, a good 200-foot player and he乌鸦传媒檚 provided that for us.

乌鸦传媒淏oth guys have helped us immensely.乌鸦传媒�

Games 3 and 4 of the Rockets乌鸦传媒� 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.