Hoody the Hero

• The coaching staff went on a hunch in selecting 17 year-old forward Dylan Hood as the 4th shooter in last night's 4-3 shootout win over Seattle. Hood, who has scored all three goals this season on American soil, scored the game winner by faking to the backhand and going to the forehand in beating the Seattle goaltender for the hockey club's second win of the season.
• Kyle St. Denis had a goal and two assists in the win. The 17 year-old still has to improve the defensive side of his game, but the offensive side needs little refining. After shying away from the physical play Friday night, St. Denis, got his noise a little dirty resulting in a three point night.
• Again Justin Bernhardt and Myles MacRae put in solid performances, but were held off the score sheet. Both players have picked up their game significantly since the Rockets shipped out Jason MacDonald and added Jamie Benn and Brady Leavold.
• Are Bernhardt and MacRae playing with a little more determination now that Brady Leavold has been added to the roster? The Rockets are a different team with two forwards providing an aggressive presence other than just James McEwan.
• Leavold got involved in a third period scrap with T-Birds defenseman Scott Jackson. Leavold may have been the smaller of the two, but didn't back down. It's nice to see someone other than McEwan carrying the mail physically.
• It was the Rockets best defensive effort of the season. When you allow the T-Birds just 10 shots on goal after 40 minutes, you are doing something right. Kristofer Westblom wasn't overly tested through 40 minutes, but deserved a pat on the back from his teammates by playing solid in the third, great in overtime and stellar in the shootout.
• The Rockets fore-check was one of the key's in the win. After applying little pressure in Friday's loss, the Rockets gave the T-Birds little time to set up in their own zone, resulting in turnovers and good scoring chances for the visitors.
• T-Birds d-man Thomas Hickey is worth the price of admission. How dominant of a player is he? He's pretty much a slam dunk to make the Canadian World Junior team, and plays with the poise of a much more mature player.
• The Key Arena is a pretty good place to watch a hockey game. You have almost any seat in the building to choose from, as a crowd of less than 4 thousand took in the game. The jumbo-tron and sound system are first rate, and the action on the ice wasn't half bad either.
• David and I were warned ahead of time of the potential delays at the Canada-USA border crossing. We arrived at the border at 2:52 pm and made our way through by 3:10 pm. Yes, it took just 18 minutes.
• The Rockets arrived at the hotel in Vancouver at 2 am Sunday morning, and will spend Sunday relaxing and preparing for Monday's afternoon game against the Giants. I understand the players, coaches and broadcasters will be taking in a thanksgiving day feast before the day is through.