Rockets Lose Game and Schenn

The Kelowna Rockets suffered a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Giants Wednesday, and lost their top defenseman in the process.
Luke Schenn saw no ice time in the 3rd period when he was needed most, after being hit from what appeared to be the side by Giants forward James Henry earlier in the game. Schenn was not feeling well in the 2nd intermission, and for precautionary measures the Rockets elected to sit him out for the remainder of the game. Schenn will be evaluated Thursday to see if he will be able to play in back-to-back road games this weekend in Everett and Vancouver.

Quick thoughts:

• I thought it was a pretty good hockey game. The Rockets and Giants were evenly matched through twenty minutes, with the Giants holding a slight edge in the second. I thought the Giants took over in the third, and despite Cody Almond giving the Rockets a 1-0 lead just over 3 minutes into the third, the Giants elevated their play, and the Rockets didn't match it. The shots on goal in the third really told the tale, with the Giants firing 17 shots at Kristofer Westblom, while the Rockets managed just 7 at Tyson Sexsmith in the final frame.
• Kristofer Westblom had a strong game in goal for the Rockets. It was nice to see him have a bounce back game, after being less than stellar against Tri City. Westblom was sharp all night long, and was called upon to make some big saves in the third period.
• Was it just me, or did the Rockets forwards have problems picking up passes? Sure the defenseman at times missed the mark, but the forwards often couldn't coral a hot pass coming their way. Veteran Justin Bernhardt struggled the most at retrieving a pass, and I hope his sore groin had something to do with it.
• I thought Tysen Dowzak played a solid game for the Rockets defensively. Not only did he block a series of shots by the Giants, but he had his fair share of shots on goal. Dowzak was the best Rockets d-man after Schenn went down early with injury.
• On two separate occasions the Rockets d-men were caught watching the puck. The first came on a quality scoring chance when Giants forward James Henry dipsy-doodled around Rockets sophomore d-man Riley McIntosh for a good shot on goal. Giants forward James Wright caught Rockets d-man Tyler Myers looking at the puck too, scoring a nice goal by swooping around Meyers and then beating Westblom high to the glove hand side.
• Giants head coach Don Hay wasn't scared in playing his 16 year-olds. James Henry, Evander Kane and d-man Neil Manning saw their fair share of ice time.
• James McEwan and Garet Hunt dropped the mitts just 3 seconds into the game for a good old fashioned scrap. McEwan was the clear winner, yet Hunt didn't fall down. Hunt can take a punch and is always a willing combatant. I applaud both for doing their jobs, and doing it well.
• Is Giants head coach Don Hay not the best interview in the league? If not, he's a close second.
• Mark Messier was in attendance at last night's game. The NHL great was on hand to watch his son Lyon, a Rockets defenseman.