Sunday, January 20, 2008

Leo Roars in Rockets Win



  • It was a career night for Brady Leavold. The overage forward extended his point streak to 12 games with four goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over the Prince George Cougars. It was Leavold's first ever four goal game, and was the first by a Rocket since Jason Deleurme had four goals December 17, 1997 in a win over Seattle. Prior to last night's game Leavold had never registered a WHL hat trick.
  • Leavold's 12 game point streak is the longest for a Rockets player since Jesse Schultz had a 14 game point streak from December 28, 2002 to January 24, 2003.
  • Leavold has scored 20 goals this season, and could frankly have more if he would shoot the puck. Leavold often finds himself passing the puck off to Long or Benn, when a little more selfishness would serve his team and himself better.
  • Jamie Benn had a 6 point night, with two goals and four assists. The last Rocket to even come close to a 6 point effort was Blake Comeau, who had two goals and three assist for a five point night October 30, 2005 against Spokane. Josh Gorges also had five points December 7, 2003 against the Kamloops Blazers. As mentioned below in the comments section, two Rockets have collected five points in a game this season.
  • The line of Leavold, Benn and Colin Long combined for 15 points. Long chipped in with four assists. The only other play to show up on the score sheet in Saturday's win was Cody Almond, who had an assist on Leavold's 4th goal of the game in the third period.
  • Despite the 6-3 score, the Cougars deserve some credit for getting back in this game despite being down 3-0 after one period. The Cougars would storm back with back-to-back goals to make it a one goal game, before Leavold's hattrick marker with exactly one minute left in the second period took any momentum away from the road team.
  • The Rockets have won 6 straight on home ice, a season high, while the Cougars have lost eight straight on the road.
  • How good have the Rockets been at home lately? The Rockets lost 5 of their first 6 home games this season. Since then the team has lost just twice in regulation time in their last 17 home games. The Rockets are 14-2-0-1 over that period. The two regulation losses at home are to Kamloops and Prince George.
  • Torrie Jung is expected to start Wednesday against Portland. Jung was a back up to Kristofer Westblom Saturday night after suffering a back injury in practice Monday. Jung was in his street clothes Friday night though in a 3-2 win over Chilliwack, meaning Rockets listed player Daniel Salamandyk provided Westblom's back up in the one goal win.
  • LA Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi was in attendance at Saturday's game. Lombardi and his scouting staff are actually holding meetings up in Kelowna this weekend, meaning the entire Kings scouting crew were keeping a close eye on Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, Brandon McMillan and other draft eligible players. Something tells me they liked what they saw from all three prospects. So much so, Lombardi held back when I pressed him for some thoughts on the three above mentioned players in a second period intermission interview. I will attempt to post the audio of that interview this week if you are interested?

5 comments:

David's Color Comments said...

Cody had 5 points against Kamloops earlier in the year....that's pretty close to 6 too :)

Sir Loungealot said...

The WHL's current point leader also had a brillant five point night against Brandon. That would be Colin Long, who now leads the league in points with 74.

Regan Bartel said...

Thanks for the input fella's. But if you were really good, you could tell me who was the last Rockets player to record 6 points? lol.

MG said...

6 Goals.....I don't know about that one. How much ice time per game are Long, Benn and Leavold logging these days ???

Regan Bartel said...

Great question. I will ask that of the coach on Monday, and will post a response.