Was Prince George Prime for the Picking?

Were the Prince George Cougars prime for the picking last night?

I think so.

With little to play for in the standings, the Cougars had essentially one reason to play hard last night.

Pad personal stats.

True to form the Cougars took that exact mindset which worked in the Rockets favor. The Cougars played like individuals, and the Rockets played as a team.

The end result was a road win.

The Prince George Citizen newspaper didn't hold back on it's criticism of the Cougars after last night loss.
Writer Jim Swanson said the Cougars "went postal last night - and mailed it in".

A team filled with far superior skill up front than the Rockets, looked mediocre at best, and at times were simply to cute with the puck.
The Rockets on the other hand fired everything possible on the net, and in my opinion could have been up 4-0 after the first period instead of 2-0.

Can the Rockets get a repeat performance tonight?

The statistic's say no.

The Rockets have been involved in games on back-to-back nights five times this season where they've won the opener.
The bad news is, in those situations the Rockets are 0-5 the following night.

Regan's Ramblings:

Is it just me or when Chris Ray scores the Rockets seem to win?
I had to check out the stats to see what type of impact he makes when he 'lights the lamp'.
The Rockets are 10-1-2-2 when Ray scores a goal.
Amazing.
The only time where Ray has scored and the Rockets have failed to register a point was in a game in November against Regina.

The BC boys return to the Rockets lineup tonight.
Brandon McMillan, Evan Bloodoff and Riley McIntosh return after competing at the Canada Winter Games.
Whether all three have any energy left after competing at that tournament is any ones guess.

Tyler Myers won't play tonight as team Alberta had different traveling arrangements. Myers will play Wednesday against Kamloops.

It looks like the flu bug may be going through the team. Clayton Barthel didn't play last night and again may not go tonight. I understand Lucas Bloodoff isn't feeling all that great either.

It's not often you see N.H.L scouts up in Prince George, but I ran into Minnesota Wild Assistant G.M Tom Thompson last night.

I had to ask him about Rockets goaltender Kristofer Westblom and the chances of the Wild signing him by the June 1st deadline.

"These are decision we have to make between now and June. We have about 9 guys in that position so we will be making those decisions once we get the season over".

The Wild's Assistant G.M likes what he see's from the 19 year-old:

"We saw some good things from him early on in the season, and it's unfortunate he got the injury. In hockey injuries are part of the game, and he's getting medical attention now and hopefully Kris will recover and by the start of next season he'll be as good as new", Thompson added.

Is Westblom in the Wild's future?

"I think so. We really have only one goalie in Josh Harding who we think is a blue chip prospect. We think he will be playing with us next season, so there is certainly an opening for Kris".

It sounds encouraging for 'Westy' doesn't it? I guess we will have to wait and find out.

I'll have the interview tonight on W.H.L Primetime at 6:30.

I'm not sure if he was joking or not, but Thompson says the real reason he was up in Prince George this weekend was to watch Cougar forward Dana Tyrell.

The Best of the West poll this season had the Everett Silvertips voted as having the best fans.

Well after an incident last night, maybe now they will be voted the most classless.

In a loss to the Portland Winter Hawks last night, fans began throwing debris at the Hawks bench after two fights broke out late in the 3rd period. Assistant Coach Brian Pellerin was hit in the face with a cup of beer while Head Coach Mike Williamson had a water bottle whiz past his head.

Apparently the Hawks players turned towards the crowd to protect the coaches, before security finally stepped in to calm the situation.

And the Medicine Hat Tigers may have lost fiesty forward Derek Dorsett for the season with a broken hand.

Dorsett got into a fight last night with Swift Current's Brady Leavold in the 1st period of a Tigers 3-0 win.

A new score clock in Prince George?
The word is any day the CN Centre will be getting a new one, meaning the Kelowna Rockets will be the only team in the BC division without a video-tron.

Former Rockets defenseman Josh Gorges made his Montreal Canadiens debut last night against the Buffalo Sabres. Gorges was a -2.