Low Hit Lowers Boom On Blazers

• A low hit from Blazers defenseman Nick Ross on Rockets defenseman Kyle Verdino was the key in Kelowna's 5-4 win Saturday night. Ross received a five minute major and game misconduct for interference which resulted in the Rockets coming back from a 3-1 deficit to earn the win. Ross' hip check caught Verdino low, sending the 17 year-old to the ice surface in pain after unloaded the puck towards the Blazer net. Verdino never returned, yet his teammates scored three times with the extended man advantage and went to the dressing room after 40 minutes with a 4-3 lead.
• The penalty will go into the books as a major for interference, but it was more like clipping to me. By no means did Ross intend to take Verdino's knee out, but the hip check wasn't executed properly, sending both defenseman off for the remainder of the game. Three quick goals on the power play, and the game took a 180 degree turn.
• Verdino will undergo an MRI to get a better idea of the extent of the injury.
• The Blazers outshot the Rockets badly in the first period, and held the majority of the play. I thought the Rockets were the superior team 5 on 5 Friday night in Kamloops, but the roles were reversed in this one.
• Blazers defenseman Giffen Nyren again impressed for a second straight night. His ability to skate the puck up ice is tremendous. Nyren had two assists and is a great pickup.
• Jamie Benn returned to the Rockets lineup after attending the training camp of the Dallas Stars. Benn wasn't his usual self, but still managed two assists. Not bad for a guy who has been to Texas and back.
• Colin Long continues to amaze me. Two goals Saturday night, and now three goals and an assist in just two games. I'd call that a decent start.
• The Rockets wore their red jersey's for the first time in a long time. The jersey's are made famous by the teams run towards a Memorial Cup title. The Rockets wore the third jersey to beat Gatineau 2-1 in the championship game in 04.
• Kris Lazaruk wasn't as good as he was Friday night, but he played his best when the game was on the line. With the Rockets holding a 5-4 lead, Lazaruk made a great glove save off of Blazer forward Jimmy Bubnick to preserve the win.
• The game last night was delayed from starting when Blazers goaltender Justin Leclerc complained that the net wasn't properly centered in the crease. The off-ice officials looked at Leclerc's complaint, but frankly little could be done about it. I happened to walk down to that area of the rink after the game, and Leclerc's claims were true. The net isn't properly centered in the crease. While it's only about a puck length out, you can bet the ice crew at Prospera Place will have it properly centered for Wednesday night's game.
• It's nice to have a puck handling goaltender. Kris Lazaruk earned an assist on the game winning goal by Lucas Bloodoff in the third period.
• Saturday nights game was not only a sell-out, it was the Rockets home opener. The Rockets organization did a good job of the opening ceremonies. Short - sweet and to the point. Why is it the Rockets can start the game 'on time' when so many other teams struggle on opening night? If the game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m, start the friggin opening ceremonies enough in advance so not to disrupt the start time.