Ugly Yet Effective

• You could notice a sense of relief on the faces of the players and coaches after a 4-1 win in Portland Saturday night. Anytime you face a team that has won just three games this season, the chances of a letdown and an upset is always there. The Rockets avoided becoming the 4th team this season to lose to the Portland Winter Hawks.
• The game was choppy, as expected against a Hawks team that struggles to create quality offensive chances. The tendency is to play to the level of the opposition, and the Rockets did their best to avoid that from happening.
• Give the Hawks credit for working hard all night long. For a team with just 3 wins this season they did their best to disturb the Rockets young defensive core which was without Tyler Myers. Myers sat out this one with a sore shoulder after getting banged up the night before in Everett. The Hawks lone goal came on a solid forecheck that saw Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn and Tyson Barrie get crossed up behind the net. Torrie Jung was unaware that the puck was centered on the stick of Hawks leading scorer Tyler Swystun, who promptly beat the Rockets goaltender low to the blocker side.
• The real bright spot for the Hawks was the play of Jordon White. White made several acrobatic saves to hold his team in the game when the Rockets fired 20 shots in his direction in the second period alone.
• The Rockets got back on track with two power play goals, after going 0 for 6 the previous night in Everett. The power play was marginally better, but didn’t show the authoritative puck movement we are accustomed too when the unit is working to full capacity.
• Colin Long and linemate Jamie Benn provided the bulk of the offense, picking up 3 points apiece. Long’s goal was a reversal of roles as Benn provided a cross crease pass that Long knifed into the back of the Hawks goal to give the visitors a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. The goal was not only scored with 12 seconds left in the period, but stood up as the game winner.
• The Rockets now have points in 10 straight games, equaling a mark set by the team during the 2004-2005 season. That year the streak ended with a 2-1 loss to the Portland Winter Hawks.
• The Rockets directed 38 shots at the Hawks net, a new season high.
• Assistant coach Jeff Finley returned to the place it all began Saturday night. After over 20 years Finley returned to Portland for the first time since joining the Hawks organization as a 17 year-old defenseman during the 1984-85 campaign. It’s interesting to note that a banner with Finley’s mug is hanging in the concourse of the Memorial Arena. His banner is hanging beside that of former Hawk Glen Wesley, his defensive partner during his time in junior.
• Did you know that Finley was taken in the 1985 NHL draft before Gretzky? Keith Gretzky that is. Finley was taken in the 3rd round, 55th overall by the New York Islanders, one slot ahead of Wayne’s younger brother. The number one pick that year? Wendel Clark.
• Some things just never change at Hawks home games. ACDC’s Thunder Struck was heard booming through the sound system as the Hawks took to the ice for the opening face-off, followed by the public address announcer yelling out “Here comes the Hawks” at the top of his lungs. Sticking with what works. It’s those two components of the game night experience that I hope the Hawks organization always maintains.
• The Rockets elected to drive in for the game before returning to Everett following the contest with the Hawks. The 3 and a half hour bus ride wasn’t grueling, but it gives you a sense of just how deep South the Hawks are located. Who has a worst travel schedule, the Hawks, the Prince George Cougars or Brandon? It has to play a factor over a long schedule.