The first two shifts of a game often times is an indication of better things to come.
For the Kelowna Rockets, last night’s opening face-off followed by early physical play was totally misleading.
After two great shifts, and a solid forecheck led by Lucas Bloodoff, it was all Seattle.
The T-Birds limited the Rockets to perimeter shots all night long, including the Rockets lone goal, a power play marker from Justin Bernhardt in a 4-1 home ice loss.
Bernhardt’s goal came when Luke Schenn’s shot, ricoched off the end boards to where Bernhardt was waiting, and from the face-off dot beat Derek Yeomans with less than 4 minutes left in regulation time.
While the Rockets got 28 shots on goal, it was an easy night for Yeomans, who was making his final regular season appearance against the team that gave him a chance when he broke into the league with the Rockets in the fall of 2003.
Yeomans was never truly tested, as the Rockets simply were not willing to pay the price by getting pucks inside, instead choosing the easy yet ineffective route, by taking shots from the outside.
The Rockets number one line generated little in the way of offense.
Head Coach Jeff Truitt elected to replace Colin Long with 16 year-old Dylan Hood to play alongside Chris Ray and Cody Almond, but even the newcomer couldn't spark two players who have to be at their best for the Rockets to win at this point of the season.
Defensively, the Rockets had several miscues, and lost more than a few board battles.
At least three of the T-Birds goals were the result of winning battles either behind the Rockets net, or in the corner and sending the puck in front for a T-Bird tip in.
Granted the T-Birds are the hottest team in the Western Conference coming in with 11 wins in their last 12 games, but losing with what looked like little resistance by the home team has Rockets fans concerned about what could come tonight when the Vancouver Giants – a 8-0 winner in Chilliwack last night - come to town.
The Positives:
The first two shifts by the Rockets gave me the general impression the team was mentally in this one, and wanted to set the tone physically.
But a penalty just 5 minutes in from Lucas Bloodoff seemed to take away any momentum the Rockets had built up to that point of the game.
I again liked Dylan Hood with Brandon McMillan and Evan Bloodoff.
For my money the younger Bloodoff showed the greatest work ethic of any of the Rockets in this one.
As stated earlier – Ray and Long, like their teammates, generated very little quality chances either 5 on 5 or with the man advantage.
Negatives:
For a second straight game, the Rockets took some bad penalties that are classified as ‘soft’.
The Rockets took just one minor penalty for roughing, while three where for tripping, with two each for hooking and holding.
That said the two man referee system was in full force last night, and boy did they struggle!
Matt Kirk and Colby Smith battled for who could be the worst official on the ice by missing numerous boarding calls both ways, and calling three penalties on the Rockets which were questionable at best.
Regan’s Ramblings:
Torrie Jung must have known he was in for a long night when he was injured in the pre-game warm up.
Jung got a shot in the collarbone area, and left the ice with 3 minutes left in warm up.
I didn’t see who hit him high, but Jung likely had some choice words for his teammate in the dressing room.
I spoke to Rockets goaltending consultant Kim Dillabaugh about Jung’s 15th straight start of the season and if the coaches are concerned about fatigue coming into play for the rookie netminder.
Dillabaugh says the coaching staff have made sure that while Jung participates in practice sessions, extra technical work are not part of his routine as the teams starter.
Jung often times would be one of the last players off the ice after practice, receiving special attention from Dillabaugh in an attempt to work out shortfalls in his game.
David Schulz again did not play last night.
The Rockets d-man is still out with the flu and is again questionable tonight.
The coaching staff simply don’t want him around the team worried that he may spread the bug to his teammates.
He spent Friday's game at home, likely listening to the game on the radio.
I met Schulz’s Dad last night before the game. He actually came up to the broadcast booth to say hi.
Now I know where David gets his great genetics from.
I had a chat with Rockets goaltender Kris Westblom before the game.
He says rehab is a regular part of his every day routine as he gets strength in his ailing left knee.
Westblom says the brace he wears to keep the knee stable is worth about 2 thousand bucks.
The brace is covered by insurance, not the Rockets organization.
For the Kelowna Rockets, last night’s opening face-off followed by early physical play was totally misleading.
After two great shifts, and a solid forecheck led by Lucas Bloodoff, it was all Seattle.
The T-Birds limited the Rockets to perimeter shots all night long, including the Rockets lone goal, a power play marker from Justin Bernhardt in a 4-1 home ice loss.
Bernhardt’s goal came when Luke Schenn’s shot, ricoched off the end boards to where Bernhardt was waiting, and from the face-off dot beat Derek Yeomans with less than 4 minutes left in regulation time.
While the Rockets got 28 shots on goal, it was an easy night for Yeomans, who was making his final regular season appearance against the team that gave him a chance when he broke into the league with the Rockets in the fall of 2003.
Yeomans was never truly tested, as the Rockets simply were not willing to pay the price by getting pucks inside, instead choosing the easy yet ineffective route, by taking shots from the outside.
The Rockets number one line generated little in the way of offense.
Head Coach Jeff Truitt elected to replace Colin Long with 16 year-old Dylan Hood to play alongside Chris Ray and Cody Almond, but even the newcomer couldn't spark two players who have to be at their best for the Rockets to win at this point of the season.
Defensively, the Rockets had several miscues, and lost more than a few board battles.
At least three of the T-Birds goals were the result of winning battles either behind the Rockets net, or in the corner and sending the puck in front for a T-Bird tip in.
Granted the T-Birds are the hottest team in the Western Conference coming in with 11 wins in their last 12 games, but losing with what looked like little resistance by the home team has Rockets fans concerned about what could come tonight when the Vancouver Giants – a 8-0 winner in Chilliwack last night - come to town.
The Positives:
The first two shifts by the Rockets gave me the general impression the team was mentally in this one, and wanted to set the tone physically.
But a penalty just 5 minutes in from Lucas Bloodoff seemed to take away any momentum the Rockets had built up to that point of the game.
I again liked Dylan Hood with Brandon McMillan and Evan Bloodoff.
For my money the younger Bloodoff showed the greatest work ethic of any of the Rockets in this one.
As stated earlier – Ray and Long, like their teammates, generated very little quality chances either 5 on 5 or with the man advantage.
Negatives:
For a second straight game, the Rockets took some bad penalties that are classified as ‘soft’.
The Rockets took just one minor penalty for roughing, while three where for tripping, with two each for hooking and holding.
That said the two man referee system was in full force last night, and boy did they struggle!
Matt Kirk and Colby Smith battled for who could be the worst official on the ice by missing numerous boarding calls both ways, and calling three penalties on the Rockets which were questionable at best.
Regan’s Ramblings:
Torrie Jung must have known he was in for a long night when he was injured in the pre-game warm up.
Jung got a shot in the collarbone area, and left the ice with 3 minutes left in warm up.
I didn’t see who hit him high, but Jung likely had some choice words for his teammate in the dressing room.
I spoke to Rockets goaltending consultant Kim Dillabaugh about Jung’s 15th straight start of the season and if the coaches are concerned about fatigue coming into play for the rookie netminder.
Dillabaugh says the coaching staff have made sure that while Jung participates in practice sessions, extra technical work are not part of his routine as the teams starter.
Jung often times would be one of the last players off the ice after practice, receiving special attention from Dillabaugh in an attempt to work out shortfalls in his game.
David Schulz again did not play last night.
The Rockets d-man is still out with the flu and is again questionable tonight.
The coaching staff simply don’t want him around the team worried that he may spread the bug to his teammates.
He spent Friday's game at home, likely listening to the game on the radio.
I met Schulz’s Dad last night before the game. He actually came up to the broadcast booth to say hi.
Now I know where David gets his great genetics from.
I had a chat with Rockets goaltender Kris Westblom before the game.
He says rehab is a regular part of his every day routine as he gets strength in his ailing left knee.
Westblom says the brace he wears to keep the knee stable is worth about 2 thousand bucks.
The brace is covered by insurance, not the Rockets organization.
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