Rockets Win 5th Straight

• Keeping the Chilliwack Bruins to just 11 shots on goal gives you a good idea of just how lopsided the Kelowna Rockets 3-0 win was Saturday night. The Bruins didn't get their first shot on goal until 8 minutes into the opening period. The Rockets allowed just 2 shots on goal in the first period, and allowed a combined seven shots through 40 minutes.
• The Rockets specialty teams were solid. Tysen Barrie and Tyler Myers scored power play goals while Jamie Benn had a shorthanded marker, his 4th shorty of the season. What is amazing is the Bruins have given up 10 shorthanded goals this season. Dustin Sylvester of the Kootenay Ice leads the WHL in shorthanded goals with 6.
• If your wondering, Cam Paddock had 6 shorthanded goals in 2002-2003. Brett McLean also had 6 in 1997-98.
• Kris Lazaruk recorded his second shutout of the season and 5th of his career. Lazaruk's best save may have been on an odd bounce that the puck took on a weak dump-in towards to the Rockets net. Lazaruk now has shutouts in two of his last three starts.
• The Bruins have failed to score a goal in three games against the Rockets this season. They showed some jump in the third period, but looked like a team playing with little to no confidence.
• Lazaruk finally got his new gear. The overage goaltender was wearing matching white pads and gloves in Kelowna Rockets colours after wearing the black pads and gloves used during his time with the Kootenay Ice.
• Cody Almond played in his 185th career game Saturday night.
• The most encouraging sign was a fight Rockets defenseman Tysen Dowzak had with Bruins tough guy Randy McNaught. Dowzak dominated the tilt as the biggest Rocket stepped out of his comfort zone to flex his muscles. I would frankly like to see Dowzak go that aggressive direction more often considering he is a) the biggest player on the Rockets roster (by weight) b) the oldest.
• It's wrong when 17 year-old Mitch Callahan and 18 year-old Tyler Myers lead your team in fighting majors. Callahan and Myers have 5 fighting majors apiece.
• Former Rockets goaltender Kelly Guard took in last nights game. Guard is spending a week in Kelowna as his girlfriends father puts on the World Arm Wrestling Championships. And no, Guard is not competing. The Rockets did a nice thing by introducing him during the midway point of the first period.
• Regina Pats GM Brent Parker took in the game. Before you get too excited that he was sniffing around for a possible trade, remember the Pats are in Kelowna on Wednesday.