As teammates were filing off the Kelowna Rockets bench with glee towards goaltender Torrie Jung in celebration after a 4-2 road win over the Prince George Cougars last night, there hunched over near the Rockets bench with his stick on his knees was Chris Ray.
Ray looked on like a proud papa of an infant who had just taken it's first steps, as his teammates enjoying the moment of winning a road game for just the 6th time this season.
Ray waited patiently by the bench, offered his congratulations as teammates skated off the ice.
Ray looked on like a proud papa of an infant who had just taken it's first steps, as his teammates enjoying the moment of winning a road game for just the 6th time this season.
Ray waited patiently by the bench, offered his congratulations as teammates skated off the ice.
On this night he was simply proud of the character this team showed in denying the Cougar's their 30th win of the season.
Playing with pain because of a badly bruised shoulder, Ray should have been in the middle of the celebration being congratulated by his teammates for his calming influence.
Yet Ray is all about putting the team first, and was getting the simple pleasure out of seeing others enjoying the fact that a solid workman like effort had the team again tied with Chilliwack for the final playoff spot in the BC division.
It was Ray who set the tone early by opening up the scoring less than 2 minutes into the game, and his teammates followed suit.
Playing with linemate Cody Almond and Colin Long, the three-some worked feverishly all night long in the offensive zone.
The end result had Almond scoring once and adding two assists while Long had a helper in the teams 19th win of the season.
The defensive core was also up for the challenge despite the loss of overage Clayton Barthel who was a late scratch because of the flu.
With just 5 healthy defenseman, David Schulz, Tysen Dowzak, Luke Schenn, Colin Joe and 15 year-old Tyson Barrie elevated their play by holding the high powered Cougars to just two-third period goals.
When a breakdown occurred in the defensive zone, Jung was johnny on the spot to make a big save.
Playing with pain because of a badly bruised shoulder, Ray should have been in the middle of the celebration being congratulated by his teammates for his calming influence.
Yet Ray is all about putting the team first, and was getting the simple pleasure out of seeing others enjoying the fact that a solid workman like effort had the team again tied with Chilliwack for the final playoff spot in the BC division.
It was Ray who set the tone early by opening up the scoring less than 2 minutes into the game, and his teammates followed suit.
Playing with linemate Cody Almond and Colin Long, the three-some worked feverishly all night long in the offensive zone.
The end result had Almond scoring once and adding two assists while Long had a helper in the teams 19th win of the season.
The defensive core was also up for the challenge despite the loss of overage Clayton Barthel who was a late scratch because of the flu.
With just 5 healthy defenseman, David Schulz, Tysen Dowzak, Luke Schenn, Colin Joe and 15 year-old Tyson Barrie elevated their play by holding the high powered Cougars to just two-third period goals.
When a breakdown occurred in the defensive zone, Jung was johnny on the spot to make a big save.
It was a gutsy win for a hockey club who was fragile mentally coming into the game.
Without a road win since December 27th in Chilliwack, the Rockets were undoubtedly questioning every aspect of their game, everything from the offensive schemes which had them scoreless in back-to-back contests to defensive coverage.
Yet at the end of the night, it wasn't X's and O's that won this game for a team thirsting for a road win.
It all came down to work ethic.
The first shift of the game was a telling sign that this team cares, that making the playoffs does matter.
If their was any doubt, it again proved that if the Rockets play a team game, work their tails off and each player plays outside of his comfort zone, good things can happen.
It may have taken this team 65 games, but if last night's result is any indication, they may have just now figured it out.
Without a road win since December 27th in Chilliwack, the Rockets were undoubtedly questioning every aspect of their game, everything from the offensive schemes which had them scoreless in back-to-back contests to defensive coverage.
Yet at the end of the night, it wasn't X's and O's that won this game for a team thirsting for a road win.
It all came down to work ethic.
The first shift of the game was a telling sign that this team cares, that making the playoffs does matter.
If their was any doubt, it again proved that if the Rockets play a team game, work their tails off and each player plays outside of his comfort zone, good things can happen.
It may have taken this team 65 games, but if last night's result is any indication, they may have just now figured it out.
1 comment:
Thanks for the input hocus lopez.
The boys were very good last night, which makes me so frustrated when I don't see it consistently.
Yes they are young, and with youth comes inconsistent play, but man when they put their minds to it, it's amazing what they can accomplish.
What I want to see is a repeat of what we saw on Friday night.
If I see that same type of desire and determination, I can't see why this team can't bring back 4 points from this swing up North.
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