Tidbits as Rockets Face Tips

• I was back on the bus for the first time in 6 months, and to be totally honest with you, it takes some getting used too. Last season I rode the bus very little, as David Michaud and I often drove to games out of town. That theme will continue this season, as David plans to miss very few road games, meaning even a trip out to Saskatchewan in December will have the two of us driving a station vehicle.


• Luke Schenn will be a game time decision. Schenn will take the morning skate to see if he is feeling ok, before he's injected back in the Rockets lineup tonight. Schenn missed the third period of Wednesday’s game with what the team suspected was a mild concussion. It appears it wasn’t that bad, but the training staff want to be careful with the valuable commodity.


• The Rockets have elected to stay two night’s in Everett. The team elected to drive up the day before the game, arriving at the hotel Thursday night. After Friday’s game against the Tips, the team will again stay over in Everett before traveling into Vancouver to meet the Giants the day of the game. I’ve been told the trip from Everett, Washington to Vancouver is as short as 2 and a half hours.


• I love arriving the day prior to a game. It gives everyone a chance to get their act together. This way the team can unload their gear, the training staff can make the visiting dressing room a little more user friendly, and the radio broadcasters can get their gear set up, watch the morning skate, and feel a little more in control when game time approaches. I am not sure if private ownership makes a difference, but I am sure community owned teams would think twice about going a day ahead of the game with hotel and meal costs on the rise.


• I’m looking forward to talking to Tips forward Kyle Beach before tonight's game. The Kelowna resident hasn’t won many popularity contests in his young WHL career, but I’ll admit I like his style. He plays with an edge, is a touch cocky, and frankly is a great young player. The kid is going to be a top draft pick this summer, and the league’s rookie of the year won’t get bad mouthed by me, no matter what odd ball stories I hear about him.


• Tonight's game in Everett features former teammates facing one another. Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn was a teammate of Everett's Zack Hamill, when both played for Canada during the Russia Super Series.


• Could these two be teammates down the road? The question has to be asked as Rockets forward Cody Almond faces Everett's Ondrej Fiala. Both Almond and Fiala were drafted by the Minnesota Wild this summer.


• Rockets European forward Milan Kytnar won't play tonight against the Tips. The 18 year-old didn't even make the trip down, as the Rockets don't have his U.S visa yet. Kytnar will play Saturday in Vancouver though.


• Don’t forget the start time of Friday’s game from Everett. AM 1150 has the game at 7:05 with the pre-game show, and the play-by-play at 7:35. Color Analyst David Michaud won’t be with me Friday night from Everett, but will be back in the saddle Saturday when the Rockets are in Vancouver.