Handing In The Key to the Key Arena

• The Rockets played their final game ever in Seattle's Key Arena Saturday night, earning a 3-2 win. The next time the Rockets visit the T-Birds in late January, the game will be played at the teams new arena in nearby Kent Washington.
• For just the third time this season the Rockets managed to win on opposition ice. Colin Long, Stepan Novotny and Lucas Bloodoff scored in the Rockets 7th win of the season. Bloodoff's goal was the best of the bunch when he drove hard to the net and tipped home a tremendous saucier pass from linemate Dylan Hood.
• Hood was injected back into the Rockets lineup Saturday night despite a broken nose. Hood wore a cage to protect his peak. Hood only missed two games with the injury suffered a week ago against Prince George.
• Jamie Benn is all for video replay in the WHL. Benn scored what appeared to be a goal in the second period that went high over the shoulder of T-Birds goaltender Calvin Pichard. The puck went into the goal with great force, that it appeared to hit the middle post and quickly came out. Benn raised his hands in celebration only to see referee Nathan Wieler wave it off. The play was eventually stopped where Wieler spoke to the goal judge on a headset. While the video screen at the Key Arena replays big hits and goals during the game, some how they were unable to show that replay on the big screen. Hmm!
• The Rockets elected to start rookie Adam Brown in goal Saturday night. I thought it was Brown's best outing of the season. Brown was not spectacular, but steady, and made the saves when he need too. Brown is now 2 and 0 as a starter. Do you play him Wednesday against Chilliwack? Why not?
• I won't name names of players who play timid, but Rockets rookie Michell Callahan isn't one of them. Callahan makes a huge hit in the first period on a T-Bird player in the neutral zone and veteran Devon LeBlanc takes exception by fighting Callahan. So here we have Callahan - who just turned 17 this month - fighting a 20 year-old (LeBlanc). What does that say about the courage of Callahan? Whether he won the fight is irrelevant. He makes a big hit, dances with an overage player, and doesn't play with his tail between his legs on the road. No wonder the coaching staff are high on this kid.
• Rockets forward Cody Almond had his 6 game point streak snapped against the T-Birds.
• Thomas Hickey is a joy to watch. What a player! He is so good defensively, and does a great job of anticipating the play. Hickey logged a ton of ice time, primarily when the line of Benn-Long and Lucas Bloodoff were on the ice. Hickey's work ethic is infectious, and it's no wonder he wears the captains 'C'.
• While the T-Birds have one of the worst records in the WHL, you can't tell me this teams not talented. With so many returning forwards, it's only a matter of time before they come together and 'click' offensively. Right now they appear to be playing like individuals, which is odd for a group that is familiar with one another.
• LA Kings scout Brent McEwan watched both Rockets games this weekend.
• At the Rockets pre-game meal they broke bread with the Kamloops Blazers - sort of. The Blazers and Rockets were staying at the same hotel in Everett. While the Rockets were using one portion of the restaurant, the Blazers were just a few tables down getting nourishment before their game Saturday night against the Tips.
• I managed to take some pictures of my final visit to the Key. I'll post them either Sunday or Monday morning.