Sexy....Solid!

• You can't convince me that Tyson Sexsmith ( known to his teammates as sexy) has only put up impressive numbers because he plays behind a solid defense. The Giants defensive core has few weaknesses, but Sexsmith was solid in a 3-1 win at Prospera Place Wednesday night. Sexsmith, the reining C-H-L Goaltender of the Week, made 35 saves in the win and was named the games first star. Had Sexsmith not been sharp early, the Rockets likely would have gone into the dressing room after one period with no less than a 2 goal lead.
• It surprises me that teams don't build from the goaltender out. The Vancouver Giants selected Sexsmith with their first pick, 14th overall in the 2004 WHL draft. Hockey fans often times don't come out to see great goaltendering, but it's that crucial position that is the difference between winning and losing. On Wednesday night it was the sole reason why the Giants won their 15th game of the season and the Rockets lost for the 9th time in 21 games.
• The Rockets were the aggressor in several departments Wednesday night. Two big hits early, one from Tysen Dowzak on Evander Kane and seconds later when Jesse Paradis labeled Craig Schira, set the tone in this one. The Rockets carried the play, yet found themselves in a tie with the visitors after the opening period.
• A possible turning point? How about a 5 on 3 power play for the Rockets just six minutes into the period that provided no results. Instead the Giants would open the scoring on a Craig Schira goal from the blueline that Rockets goaltender Adam Brown got a piece of before it trickled past him. My feeling is had the Rockets scored on that power play they would have been able to bury the visitors early.
• Rockets rookie goaltender Adam Brown lost for the first time in 8 games. If he didn't have bad luck in this one, he would have had no luck at all. All three goals were ugly.
• The Rockets have been held without a power play goal in back-to-back games. On top of that Jamie Benn and Colin Long have been held off the score-sheet in back-to-back games.
• The Giants were out-shot for the first time this season. The Rockets out-shot the visitors 37-24.
• After Lance Bouma was fingered to the penalty box for holding just 5 minutes into the second period, the Giants did not take a penalty over the final 35 minutes. Conversely the Rockets would take five straight penalties after Bouma's minor.
• Giants forward Evander Kane extended his point streak to 19 games with an assist last night, yet he didn't impress. The same could also be said for Jamie Benn, who trailed Kane by just a point for the WHL scoring lead heading into last night's game.
• Thank goodness Prospera Place uses two Zamboni's to clean the ice. Apparently one broke down while cleaning the ice in the second intermission. The other one picked up the slack, but the second intermission was close to 24 minutes in length.
• The Rockets organization did a tremendous job of honoring the 1958 Kelowna Packers prior to last night's game. The red carpet came out as team members were introduced before the ceremonial face-off. The Rockets wore replica Kelowna Packers jersey's which were auctioned off. All the proceeds went to the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
• Here is a video of the Rockets during the pre-game warm-up wearing those replica red and white jersey's worn by the 1958 Kelowna Packers.