The One That Go Away!

• The Rockets deserved a better fate in a 5-3 loss Friday in Kamloops. Again a terrific start by the Rockets with several quality chances in the first period, but just one goal to show for it. Kamloops goaltender Justin Leclerc was extremely solid in the opening frame, enabling his team to find their game after a shaky opening period.
• Luke Schenn was given a five minute major and game misconduct for a hit in the late stages of the second period on Blazers forward Shayne Wiebe. Originally no call was made by referee Andy Thiessen, but after conferring with his two linesman, was given a charging penalty for apparently leaving his feet before leveling Wiebe into the corner boards. The resulting 5 minutes major allowed the Blazers to score twice with the man advantage, and essentially put the game on ice for the home team.
• Give the Rockets credit for battling back despite being down 5-1 in the third period. Goals by Colin Long and Evan Bloodoff made things interesting, but in the end it was simply just to deep of a hole to climb out of.
• Rockets veteran forward Brady Leavold returned to the lineup against the Blazers after sitting out Wednesday's game against Vancouver with the flu.
• Nineteen year-old forward Justin Bernhardt was a healthy scratch. Rockets assistant coach Jeff Finley says Bernhardt struggled in practice this week, and the decision was made to have his butt in the stands for this one.
• Colin Long extended his point streak to 7 games Friday night. Long was in on all three Rockets goals, picking up two goals and collecting an assist.
• It was interesting to see Portland GM Ken Hodge at the game last night. What was he looking for? You would think no one is safe from a trade out of Portland these days. Question is, who wants what they currently have?
• Phoenix Coyotes scout Barry Trapp took in Friday's game. In speaking to Trapp, he was impressed with the play of Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, and especially Brandon McMillan. Again McMillan had a strong game for the Rockets in the loss.
• Blazers defenseman Mike Gauthier made his debut last night, and really struggled. I don't get to see him much considering he has played his entire career in Prince Albert, but fans in Kamloops must be shaking their head after the team acquired him this week from the Raiders. Sure it's only one game but Gauthier took several bad penalties, and showed little to no aggression on the ice. He could have made a statement to the fans, his teammates and the opposition that he indeed is a force to be reckoned with now that he is in the Western Conference. He showed no sign of that in game one with the Blazers.