Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• The Kelowna Rockets coaching staff did a rare thing. After a weekend where the hockey club out-scored the Prince George Cougars 11-2, the players received essentially two days off for their fine work. It's back to business today, but having Sunday and Monday off to recharge the batteries was a wise decision on behalf of coach Ryan Huska and his posy. Sure these players are 16 to 20 years of age, but they feel fatigue too. The added rest should recharge the players both mentally and physically with four games in five night's starting Wednesday in Kamloops.


• Tyson Barrie created quite a bit of talk after his 5 points effort in two games in Prince George this weekend. The sixteen year old's ability to produce offensively from the blue line has many wondering if he will eventually challenge for the team record for points by a defenseman. Tomas Slovak holds the club record for the most points in a season by a Rockets defenseman with 18 goals and 53 assists. Slovak's 71 point season came in the 2002-2003 campaign. I am not suggesting Barrie will challenge Slovak this season, but the club record could be eclipsed by Barrie down the road.


• While the Rockets have improved offensively from one season ago, the focus should really be on the teams defensive play. The Rockets have given up just 56 goals in 20 games. In fact if they were in the Eastern Conference, they'd be leading the way with the fewest goals against. The Calgary Hitmen currently lead the Eastern Conference in the fewest goals against with 57.


• During the Rockets 6 game winning streak, they've allowed just 10 goals. Higher mathematics will tell you that's 1.7 goals per game over the streak. Impressive to say the least.


• Colin Long leads the Rockets in overall points with 24. If you project what his point total will be considering he has 24 points in his first 20 games, Long is on pace for a 87 point season. That would be a 59 point improvement from a year ago. The last player to register 87 or more points was Justin Keller, who had 88 points in the 2005-2006 campaign. Keller had 51 goals that season.


• While we are projecting, Jamie Benn has 7 goals in his first 16 WHL games. Benn is on pace to score 32 goals this season. Not bad for a player who everyone overlooked, before Rockets Director of Player Personnel Lorne Frey listed him.


• I guess Clayton Bauer hasn't played his last game in Kelowna. The overage forward was traded to the Everett Silvertips Monday. Bauer thought he had played his last career game at Prospera Place last Wednesday as a member of the Red Deer Rebels. The trade means we will see the Kelowna resident two more times...barring a trade of course!


• Is Mike Williamson secretly laughing at what has happened to the Portland Winter Hawks this season? Or is he saying to himself, "Thank God they didn't re-sign me to coach that team!"


• The scariest team the Rockets will face over the next four games? Yep, the Hawks. Who wants to have the distinction of losing to that team? Everett, Medicine Hat and Saskatoon are the only three teams to fall to the Hawks this season.


• The recent move by the Kamloops Blazers ownership to gas GM/Head Coach Dean Clark has me wondering what type of changes are in store for the team this summer. Is any employee of the Blazers safe?
• Name the four Rockets that have played in every game this season? The answer - Colin Long, Kyle St. Denis, Lucas Bloodoff and Brandon McMillan. All four have played in all 20 games this season.