Adding and prior to the trade deadline came with a cost for the 琉璃神社 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鈥� 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.
鈥淩eid has come to the fore like we expected,鈥� said Rockets鈥� assistant GM Lorne Frey. 鈥淲e knew he was going to score and he鈥檚 done exactly that. He鈥檚 a skilled player who has fit in very well with our group.鈥�
Playing on 琉璃神社鈥檚 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.
鈥淚 want to take everything in and soak it up, I鈥檝e never been this far in the playoffs,鈥� said Gardiner, who scored 43 goals last season in Prince Albert. 鈥淚鈥檓 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.
鈥淭his is a great place to play and I wanted to come back to a team that wanted to win,鈥� he added. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy with my decision and hopefully we can finish this off the right way.鈥�
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鈥檚 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 琉璃神社 in January marked an abrupt change in the 19-year-old foward鈥檚 life and career, Twarynski couldn鈥檛 have asked for a much more desirable situation.
鈥淎t the start it was a little different living away from home for the first time, but it鈥檚 been good for me, good to change things up,鈥� said Twarynski, 19. 鈥淭he guys welcomed me, I got used to it pretty quick, and it鈥檚 easier when you鈥檙e coming to such a good team.
鈥淣ow hopefully we can continue this run we鈥檝e started.鈥�
Frey said Twarynski has filled a valuable role for the Rockets.
鈥淥nce the playoffs started, he鈥檚 just elevated his game,鈥� Frey said of Twarsynki, a third round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers. 鈥淲e needed a bigger body up front, a good 200-foot player and he鈥檚 provided that for us.
鈥淏oth guys have helped us immensely.鈥�
Games 3 and 4 of the Rockets鈥� 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 琉璃神社.
