In the Eye of a Hurricane

• If you asked Kelowna Rockets goaltender Torrie Jung if the Western Hockey League should do away with the shootout format, the 18 year-old would surely say yes. Jung's success, or lack-there-of in the shootout got even worse Friday night with a 3-2 loss in Lethbridge. Jung gave up 4 goals on 5 Hurricane shooters, dropping his career record in the shootout to 0-5. Jung also lost a shootout game earlier this season to the Moose Jaw Warriors by allowing 4 goals on 8 Warrior shooters. Overall Jung has allowed 16 goals on 28 shootout shots over his career, for a save percentage of .571.
• Jung is not the reason for the loss though. The Rockets gave up a 2-0 lead, on what assistant coach Jeff Finley described as the team feeling fatigue after playing the majority of the 1st period shorthanded. The Rockets took five straight penalties in the first frame, yet managed a 1-0 lead after the opening twenty minutes. The Hurricanes began to take over the game, and simply outplayed the Rockets in the third, in an attempt to get the equalizer.
• Kyle St. Denis did not make the trip with the team to Lethbridge. St. Denis, who is recovering from a concussion, will fly to Regina and meet the team there. The 17 year-old forward is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Pats, which is a shame considering he would be playing against the team that originally drafted him 5th round in the 2005 WHL bantam draft.
• Rockets prospect Dylan Tait was on the ice with the team Friday morning. The 16 year-old goaltender is playing midget hockey in his hometown of Lethbridge. Tait, the Rockets 5th round pick in the 2006 WHL draft is the Rockets goaltender of the future, and is projected to be fighting for the backup spot to #1 netminder Torrie Jung next season. I had a good chat with Tait's dad Gord, who played at the University of Saskatchewan with Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton's brother Brent in the 80's.
• Game day always provides for a chance to do some window shopping after practice. Friday in Lethbridge, Daily Courier writer Doyle Potenteau and I had a chance to check out some new men's cologne at a nearby store. I use the unorthodox apply and sniff method. Rather than use a piece of white paper, which is handed out to the customer by the perfume police in the store, I fire it everywhere. Just a lite spray on the neck with one sample, a shot on the wrist with another, and even a spray on the jacket. By the time I left the store, I smelled like the tramp of the town.
• Rockets goaltender Torrie Jung told me about one interesting Christmas when he was 13. He said his dad gave him two options, take a 50 dollar bill that was in an envelope, or pick the surprise gift that was waiting in his room downstairs. Jung selected door B, hurried downstairs, where a new bike was waiting for him. Cool story, but what would have happened if he would have selected the 50 bucks? Torrie likely would have been a double winner, as his dad wouldn't have had the nerve to take the bike back.
• We all make mistakes in life, but some hurt us more than others. Color Analyst David Michaud forgot his winter coat back in Kelowna. That's right, he has no coat....nothing....other than a thin Rockets track suit jacket. Granted it was a rookie mistake by the likable Michaud, who by the end of this road trip will likely have shelled out some cash for a winter jacket purchased in Regina.
• The Calgary Sun and Calgary Herald have had extensive coverage of Sidney Crosby's Western Canada swing, with games against the Oilers and Flames this week. Name the only current Rockets player who has played against Crosby in the past? Kristofer Westblom faced Sid the Kid at the 2005 Memorial Cup. If you want proof, check out the pic below.

Here is a picture of Dylan Tait at the Rockets morning skate Friday.