It Wasn't Even Close

• Saturday night's 5-0 loss in Vancouver wasn't even close. The Rockets simply didn't show up to play in this one. I will give the Giants credit for a solid effort, but that was not the same team I saw Friday night in Everett. Where was the battle level? Where was the intensity? Where was the creativity? The only thing I saw was goaltenders Kristofer Westblom and Torrie Jung doing everything in their power to keep the game respectable.
• Where were the difference makers? If I am a 19 year-old, in what way did I contribute to the cause? If I'm 16, I'm shaking in my boots playing infront of 12 thousand fans against a Giants team that plays pressure hockey. But if I'm an older, experienced player, should I not look in the mirror and ask myself what kind of contribution did I make?.
• The Rockets two best players outside of the goaltenders? Colin Long and Evan Bloodoff. Long appeared to be hungry for the puck, and wanted to battle. The younger Bloodoff again showed good energy, unfortunately many of his teammates didn't follow his lead.
• The 5-0 loss to the Giants brought back bad memories of a game between the two teams last season where the Rockets lost 4-0. The Rockets were out-shot 34-13 in that game. Or was it the game in early February, where the Rockets lost 7-0, again in Vancouver, and were outshot 47-11? This time the Rockets were not only shut-out, but managed just 9 shots on goal. By comparison, the Rockets were held to 11 shots on goal three times last season. Once by the Giants, Everett and Kamloops.
• The Rockets played without captain James McEwan (groin), and Cody Almond (healthy scratch). McEwan would have made a difference in this one with his never say die attitude, but Almond's work ethic and undisciplined play of late, had him sitting on the sidelines. Oddly enough, Almond was a health scratch for a game against the Giants last season as well.
• Luke Schenn and Giants agitator Garet Hunt got into a scrap in the game. Schenn got in some good early punches, before Hunt ended the tilt with a flurry while trying to pull the jersey over the head of Schenn. I called it a draw, but Hunt reacted like he dominated the affair. It's interesting to note that last season, Hunt fought 11 times at home and just 4 times on the road. It's easy to pick a dance partner on home ice, but much more difficult to tango on opposition ice.
• I thought the Giants organization did a nice job in raising three banners to the rafters at Pacific Coliseum. The Giants showed a short video for each banner raised, which included BC Division Champions, Western Conference playoff pennant winners and Memorial Cup champions.
• David and I had another great talk with Giants coach Don Hay prior to the game. Even after the interview was over, we chatted with Hay for another 10 minutes. I could talk to this guy for an hour. Hay is as personable as they come, well respected and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Not like I need to be friends with the guy, but it sure feels nice that when the interview is over, he isn't giving you the impression that you were wasting his time.
• I have a beef with public address announcers in this league, many of which you simply can't use on the air because they go into a major tirade when announcing their teams goals. The same can't be said in Vancouver, where John Ashbridge is one - if not the best. Sure he has a certain excitement when announcing a Giants goal, but it's professionally done. The same goes for the public address announcer in Calgary, who's first rate. I heard the Kamloops Blazers have a new p.a announcer this season. While the old guy was apparently popular, he was way to over the top to be used by a visiting broadcaster. And don't get me started on the dude from Spokane!