Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• I am still up in arms over a two game suspension handed to Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn for a hit on Kamloops forward Shayne Wiebe Friday night. The two game suspension was excessive to say the least. Schenn clocked the Blazer forward with a solid check in the corner, and was given a 5 minute major and game misconduct for charging. In the worst case scenario Schenn should have been kicked out of the game (I still don't believe it was even worthy of that), but the two game suspension is absurd. If you want to suspend the guy, one game would be a stretch...but two? Ask other GM's around the league if that hit by Schenn was suspendable. I bet you 90 percent would say no. I have a good idea which way Blazers GM Dean Clark would be leaning. Obviously he would think the punishment fits the crime, considering his player was the victim.
• I love the WHL's new addition to it's website by offering up the top 5 plays of the week. Yet while I was watching, I am surprised at some of the brutal (bad) video used in various arena's around the league. Check out the 'plays of the week' and a goal scored in the Tri Cities. The video is terrible!! Do people actually pay to watch the game with that type of video quality? It's easier with a wide shot for the cameraman, but you can barely make out who has the puck and who essentially scores the goal.
• I watched the hit that Luke Schenn made on Shayne Wiebe of the Kamloops Blazers Friday night. The video of the game in that building is far superior than many arena's. Not only is the camera closer to the action, but different camera angles are used. I am not asking all other buildings to go as far as Kamloops in offering different angles, but for the sake of the fans a tighter shot of the action from the camera operator above needs to be put into place. Trust me, Tri City is not the only team that needs to improve in that area.
• I've been barking about this for a while now about Prospera Place getting a video screen or video-tron. In saying that, a quality video screen is the way to go. While the one in Kamloops is better than nothing, I find the picture very unclear at the Interior Savings Centre in comparison to others around the league. You pay for what you get. Let's hope R.G Properties keeps that in mind if they ever consider upgrading the score clock in the arena.
• Speaking of the Blazers, David and I had the privilege of meeting new majority owner Tom Gaglardi Friday night. Gaglardi says some significant changes will be made to the way the game night experience at home games is conducted. What those are, Gaglardi wouldn't get into detail but he has promised a popcorn maker up in the broadcast area. As Gaglardi put it, you can't watch hockey without popcorn. If Gaglardi doesn't like the clarity of the replay screen in the Loops, you can bet he'll make a change sooner rather than later.
• I found it interesting that every Kelowna Rockets shooter, with the exception of Myles MacRae and Jamie Benn attempted to go through the legs of Moose Jaw goaltender Todd Mathews in Saturday's shootout. Benn was successful with a nice snap shot to the blocker side while MacRae failed to beat Mathews in the same area. Cody Almond (goal), Brady Leavold (no goal), Colin Long (no goal), Tyson Barrie (goal) all went for the five hole.
• Did you happen to notice the players on the Warriors bench putting their helmets on backwards during Saturday's shootout? I thought it was pretty comical. You've seen it in baseball where players in the dugout but on their 'rally caps' by putting their hats inside out, but it's a first I've seen in hockey. Maybe the Warriors have started a trend? The helmets on backwards worked, as they pulled out the 4-3 shootout win.
• It's sad but true. How many Rockets fans could have named three Moose Jaw Warriors before Saturday's game? How many Warrior fans will be able to name 3 Rockets when the two teams collide in early December in Moose Lips? The league has so many teams, that casual fans just can't keep up. Teams out East are simply off the radar for fans in the West, and I am sure the same holds true when the tables are turned.
• For the record, Lucas Bloodoff told me before Saturday's game that he would score. Bloodooff did score his 1st goal of the season, snapping a 13 game goal scoring drought. I was bugging Lucas before Saturday's game about two missed opportunities the night before in Kamloops. Bloodoff said, "I'll get one tonight". Lucas Bloodoff is a man of his word.
• Rookie Rockets defenseman Kyle Verdino made his WHL debut Saturday with one shift. The shift must have lasted 20 seconds. I noticed him out on the ice in the second period wearing his unfamiliar sweater #28. Like a thief in the night, I saw him only for a split second before he quickly made his way back onto the Rockets bench.
• How bad do you feel for Rockets forward Matt Brusciano? Still suffering from a concussion, Brusciano has failed to play a game this season. Seeing him sitting in the stands watching practice now for 6 weeks makes me feel bad for him. Just imagine how frustrated he feels.