Mental Miscues Rockets Downfall

• Despite a 5-2 loss to the Spokane Chiefs Wednesday night, this was a one goal hockey game until the Chiefs scored back-to-back goals just 20 seconds apart in the third period. The Chiefs saw a two goal lead evaporate three times.
• Mental miscues behind the Rockets net resulted in two of the Chiefs five goals. The first came on the opening goal of the game in the second period when Tysen Barrie passed the puck to Colin Joe behind the net. The puck bounced off Joe's stick and ended up deflecting to the side of the net where the Chiefs Ondrej Roman sent it to linemate Judd Black Water for the easy tap in. The Chiefs fourth goal was the result of miscommunication between veteran Brady Leavold and again Tyson Barrie. This time Leavold passed the puck behind the Rockets net, startling Barrie, resulting in a giveaway that Chiefs forward Levko Koper gladly intercepted and passed it in front to linemate Justin MacRae. Here's the audio of the miscues defensively: http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0376.MP3&nid=675157&
• These two team's played a quick opening period, which saw the Rockets and Chiefs skate away scoreless despite 25 shots combined.
• Kristofer Westblom got the start in goal for the Rockets. Despite giving up 5 goals on 31 shots, Westblom had little chance on several of the goals, yet his rebound control was in question on the Chiefs 5th goal. But that said, the 5th goal was simply icing on the cake for the visitors, who won for the 44th time this season.
• The Rockets have now lost 3 straight games on home ice, after losses to Spokane, Vancouver and Seattle.
• The Rockets sit a point back of Seattle for fourth place in the Western Conference. The T-Birds now have 2 games in hand. The two team's clash Saturday in Seattle in what is anticipated as a first round playoff preview.
• Don't hold your breath on Jamie Benn returning this weekend to the Rockets lineup. The road to recovery has been a long one for Benn, who may not be back in the lineup until next Wednesday's home game against Vancouver.
• Captain James McEwan told me he would be back for Saturday's game against Seattle. McEwan has missed 25 games with the lacerated wrist, and is anxious to get back into the lineup after missing the last two month.
• Colin Long scored one of the two Rockets goals last night, and now leads Mark Santorelli by three points for the WHL scoring title. Santorelli failed to register a point in the Chilliwack Bruins 6-3 loss in Brandon last night.
• Tysen Barrie picked up two assists last night, including one on the power play. Barrie now has 40 points on the season, with 31 of them coming with the extra man.
• A quick pre-game pic with Spokane d-man Jared Spurgeon. The younger brother of former Rockets captain Tyler Spurgeon is having a great season, and is only second to teammate Chris Bruton for the WHL lead in plus/minus. Spurgeon is a +32. Man does that Spurgeon have hair! I have as much, but not on my head. I unfortunately have it in my nose!