Rockets' Losing Streak Reaches 3 Games

• Rockets’ No. 1 bantam pick Shane McColgan was all the talk heading into Tuesday night’s game in Red Deer, but it was the Rockets’ 11th round selection from the 2007 draft that stood out. Sixteen year-old Brett Bulmer showed why he is third in BC Midget League scoring with a solid effort in just his second career WHL game.
• What impressed me most about Bulmer was his willingness to get involved. Bulmer wasn’t timid in battling for loose pucks in the corners or along the boards. Often younger players don’t exhibit a high battle level when playing against older, stronger players. Bulmer’s ability to battle and create scoring chances has me wondering why he was overlooked by so many teams before the Rockets stole him in round 11.
• If you don't think an 11th round pick in the bantam draft can make an impact, you may want to speak to Colin Long.
• Don’t get me wrong, McColgan didn’t disappoint in his WHL debut. Playing on a line with Colin Long and Mitchell Callahan, the ‘American Express’ line was born. McColgan had no less than three shots on goal and obviously shows some creativity in the offensive zone. Is he a keeper? Darn rights!
• For the second straight game rookie Curt Gogol began the game on defense and was switched to forward. Brandon McMillan was again called into action to help control things on the blue line and handled himself very well.
• Cody Almond didn’t score, but showed some improved jump from Sunday’s sluggish affair.
• Adam Brown was almost as good as his counterpart at the other end. The Rockets rookie goaltender had no chance on the only goal he allowed less than four minutes into the game.
• Say goodbye to the BC Division title. The Giants now have a 21 point lead on the Rockets for first place in the division. My question isn’t whether the Giants will win the division, but will the Giants lose more than 10 games this season?
• Evan Bloodoff is now the only Rockets player that will be able to play in all 72 games this season. Bloodoff’s main rival, Stepan Novotny, missed last night’s game against the Rebels as he pursues a spot on the Czech national junior team. Bloodoff is the only Rocket to dress in all 33 games this season.
• Who was the last Rocket to dress for all 72 regular season games? Colin Long was the only Rocket to play in all 72 games last season.
• Tyson Barrie took the pre-game skate but did not play. Barrie is recovering from a concussion.
• Fifteen year-old Dillon Simpson accompanied the Rockets to Red Deer. Simpson is still deciding on whether he will play junior or head to college. The fact he was on the bus has to be a positive sign.
• Kristofer Westblom took in last night’s game. The former Rocket goaltender was in attendance as his mother conducted some business in Edmonton. Westblom is playing Canadian college hockey this season with the Acadia Axemen.