Is An Early Lead a Bad Thing?

• When have you heard that having an early 2-0 lead is actually a bad thing? For the Kelowna Rockets that is the case after giving up another 2-0 lead, losing to the Regina Pats Sunday by a 4-3 score. The Pats would score three unanswered goals in the second period, for a 3-2 lead heading into the third. This is nothing new for a Rockets hockey club, who have built up a 2-0 lead in the past, only to see it slip away. The Rockets had a 2-0 lead against the Prince George Cougars November 24th at home, only to see the Cougars roar back for a 4-3 win. Friday night in Lethbridge, again the Rockets had a 2-0 lead only to see the Hurricanes score back-to-back goals before scoring the game winner in the shootout. Even look at a 4-2 home ice win over Portland on December 1st. The Rockets built up a 4-0 lead only to see the last place Hawks storm back for two-third period goals to make it interesting.
• Kirt Hill had a successful game against his former team. Hill had an assist and scored a nice shorthanded goal in the second period, after Tyson Barrie bobbled the puck at center ice. Despite a great diving effort by Brady Leavold to knock the puck off of Hill's stick, the 19 year-old beat Kristofer Westblom between the legs. Hill was named the games first star with a goal and an assist.
• Former Rockets forward Troy Ofukany attempted to make an impact against his old team but simple didn't get much accomplished. Ofukany did have the last laugh though, by getting an assist on the Pats opening goal by Garrett Mitchell in the second period. It was nice to see Ofukany playing on a line with Kirt Hill for the majority of the game.
• I was interested to see the WHL's top power play in Sunday's game. The Pats unit generated few chances, yet managed a 5 on 3 goal when Tyler Myers and Luke Schenn were sent to the box in the late stages of the 2nd period. The Pats were 1 for 6 with the extra man in the hockey game.
• Rockets captain James McEwan made his contribution in trying to turn the teams fortunes around. With his team holding a 2-1 lead, McEwan got into a fight with Pats forward Brett Leffler. McEwan dominated the one sided tilt, yet the bout surprisingly failed to inspire his teammates. The Pats scored two more goals for a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission.
• I would be shocked if Rockets forward Cody Almond isn't in the coaches dog house. The 18 year-old struggled in clearing the zone on two separate occasions, resulting in Jordon Eberle's goal to give the Pats a 4-3 lead. The lacklustre clearing attempt followed an undisciplined roughing minor exactly 3 minutes and one second later (3:01). Almond didn't see the ice after that infraction.
• I thought Jamie Benn got back on track after looking tired in the past couple of games. Benn did score Friday in Lethbridge, but didn't show the energy I am used to seeing from the 18 year-old rookie. Benn's play Sunday saw him score a great goal despite efforts by Pats defenseman Juraj Valach to hook him from behind. Benn now has 13 goals, tied with Brandon's Braydon Schenn for the WHL rookie goal scoring lead.
• Rockets forward Kyle St. Denis did not play Sunday against his old team. The Rockets rookie forward is still hampered by a concussion. St. Denis will likely play Friday against the Prince Albert Raiders.
• Luke Schenn played his final game before attending Team Canada's training camp for the World Junior team. It's the second time this season the Rockets have been without Schenn's services. Schenn missed two games, while serving a suspension for a Hit in November against the Kamloops Blazers. How did the Rockets do without Schenn in the lineup? The Rockets were 1-0-0-1 with a 4-3 shootout loss to Moose Jaw followed by a 6-1 win over the Blazers three night's later.
• The Swift Current Broncos play-by-play man Jon Kenn has been getting some heat over a less than impressive atmosphere at Broncos home games. But in two stops in the Eastern Conference, the atmosphere in both Lethbridge and Regina is frankly, disappointing.
• Just one picture from the Pats game Sunday afternoon. Before the game David and I spoke with former Rockets Troy Ofukany and Kirt Hill. Why not take a picture prior to game time?