Luke Has Last Laugh

• The game between the Rockets and Wheat Kings featured the Schenn brothers meeting for the first time. It was older brother Luke who had the last laugh in Kelowna's lopsided 8-2 home ice win. Luke Schenn had two assists in the victory while Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn was held off the scoreboard.
• While Brayden Schenn didn't exactly impress, his 23 goal season as a 16 year-old can not be overlooked. If you compare him to former Seattle Thunderbirds forward Patrick Marleau, the Saskatoon resident isn't far behind. Marleau had 32 goals as a 16 year-old. Marleau had 72 points in his rookie season back in 1995-96, just 14 more than Schenn has collected this season. Marleau left the WHL after just two seasons. The Wheat Kings are all about developing players, but are hoping Schenn doesn't follow a similiar path as Marleau, who bolted for the NHL at the tender age of 18.
• Here is my conversation with Wheat Kings GM/Coach Kelly McCrimmon on Brayden Schenn. http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0329.MP3&nid=667620&
• The Rockets erupted for a 6 goal - second period in the route. It was the third time this season the Rockets have scored 6 times in a period. The Rockets scored 6 times against Prince George in the first period of an 11-1 romp and managed to score 6 times in the second period of a 9-3 win over the Portland Winter Hawks.
• Brady Leavold had 2+3=5 while Colin Long had 1+3=4 in the victory. Cody Almond also chipped in with a goal. The top three point getters on the Rockets scored the opening three goals of the game. Leavold, Long and Almond were a combined +9.
• Lucas Bloodoff is the hottest Rocket. Bloodoff extended his point streak to five games with two goals and a fight. While his tilt with Brandon's Jay Fehr was as lopsided as the game was, it was Fehr's first WHL fight. The second year forward had just 12 penalty minutes entering last night's game, so to see him involved with Bloodoff in the late third period scrap was a surprise.
• The Wheat Kings lost overage defenseman Daryl Boyle early in the game with an undisclosed injury. That only made matters worse after 30 goal man Tyler Dittmer sat this one out with what is expected to be a broken knuckle, after a slash the night before in an overtime win in Vancouver.
• Kristofer Westblom wasn't overly tested in this one, but the overage goaltender played well enough to get the start Saturday against Edmonton. The Rockets coaching staff would like to ride with the hot goaltender, but it sure is nice if both Westblom or Jung are on the top of their game.
• After the 8 goal outburst, the Rockets are again the highest scoring team in the WHL. The Rockets have scored 215 goals this season, two more than the Tri City Americans.
• The win moves the Rockets five points up on Seattle for 4th place in the Western Conference. The T-Birds have two games in hand. Home ice is crucial for any team taking part in this years playoffs where no one will face a weak sister in the opening round.
• Jamie Benn skated for the first time Thursday since he sprained an ankle in practice. Benn admitted that it was a little tender. It appears that Benn is still a week or so away from giving it a try in a game situation.