Stanford Stellar in Rockets Win

• Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Steven Stanford was the only reason why his team had a chance of earning a point Wednesday night against the Kelowna Rockets. Stanford stood on his head making several spectacular saves in a 3-1 loss. Had it not been for Stanford bringing his 'A' game to the table, this would have been as lopsided as the Rockets 8-1 win over Prince George.
• Give the Raiders credit for being in this game as late as they were. It was a one goal game until Kyle St. Denis sealed the win with a breakaway goal with 69 seconds left in the game. The Rockets allowed just 8 shots on goal over the final 40 minutes while firing 34 shots at the Raiders goal.
• The Rockets deserve credit for keeping their heads and hearts into the game despite being denied time and time again by Stanford. Colin Long finally broke Stanford's shutout bid at the halfway point of the second before Jamie Benn's power play goal 4 minutes into the third period gave the home team it's first lead of the game.
• Coach Ryan Huska will be pleased with this statistic. His team took just five minor penalties. The Raiders were almost equal to the task, taking just 7 minors.
• The Raiders iced one of the youngest defensive cores the Rockets have faced this season, and it showed. They didn't make mental mistakes, but they ran out of gas as the game wore on. Neither team iced a 19 or 20 year-old d-man back on the blue-line.
• I applaud Raiders 16 year-old defenseman Ryan Aasman for playing last night. Aasman was playing just his third game after his father died of cancer. Aasman is doing his best to move on, but I sympathize with the death of a loved one. Aasman should be an inspiration to his teammates.
• It was a rough night for Raiders forward James Dobrowolski. Dobrowolski was sent to the ice on hits from Kyle Verdino and Jesse Paradis.
• It was great to chat with Raiders forward Justin Bernhardt before the game. Bernhardt managed to score the lone goal for the Raiders, and seems to be enjoying life in the North Saskatchewan city. Bernhardt scored a career high 26 goals last season, and plans to improve on those totals from a year ago. Bernhardt won't wow you with his speed or his tremendous work ethic, but he is a pure goal scorer who has a nose for the net. It's that skill that no coach can teach a player.
• The Rockets are now 4 and 0 on home ice this season and improved their record to 6 and 5 with the win. The Rockets will try to move 2 games above the .500 mark for the first time this season when they face the Tips in Everett on Friday.
• Earlier in the day the Rockets learned that they will not host the 2010 Memorial Cup. Brandon will. I have had little to say about the Rockets bid, but my belief is the Rockets didn't put their 'best foot forward' in making their presentation. Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton made no secret that he wanted to see the Wheat Kings win the right to host the event.
• The overage deadline is Thursday. It will be interesting to see if the Rockets make a move. You would have to believe the Rockets will make one move by bringing in a veteran to help out on the blue line. But that said, is it worth bringing in an older player if he's no better than the 17 and 18 year-olds you already have?