Rockets Game Notes vs. Hurricanes

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets have won four of their last five games heading into tonight’s contest against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. This is the fourth game of a five game home-stand for the Rockets, who are 2-1-0-0 with wins over Chilliwack (6-0) and Seattle (7-3) and a loss to Brandon (3-2). The Rockets are coming off a 7-3 win over Seattle Wednesday. Colin Long, Jamie Benn and Lucas Bloodoff combined for 11 points in the win. Long and Benn each had a goal and three assists while Bloodoff had two goals and a helper. Kris Lazaruk started the game in goal before being relieved of his duties by Adam Brown in the second period. Following tonight’s game the Rockets host the Edmonton Oil Kings in a rare Sunday afternoon home game. It’s the only Sunday game the Rockets will play at home this season. Tonight’s game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. These two teams met in Lethbridge back on October 4th with the Hurricanes earning a 7-3 win.

Numbing Numbers: Lucas Bloodoff’s three point night (2+1=3) against the Seattle Thunderbirds wasn’t the first time the Rockets forward has managed the feat. Bloodoff had 2+1=3 October 30/07 against the Kamloops Blazers…Jamie Benn’s four points (1+3=4) Wednesday night was the 4th time in his career he’s managed 4 points. Benn had a 6 point night 2+4=6 against the Prince George Cougars on January 18/08 of last season…Colin Long’s four point effort (1+3=4) Wednesday wasn’t a career high. Long had five points against Brandon (2+3=5) and Portland (0+5=5) last season....Benn has 12-2 goal games in his career, yet has never recorded a hattrick.

Mr. Brown Without a Frown: Rockets rookie goaltender Adam Brown is 5-0-0-0 this season. Brown has wins over Seattle (twice), Chilliwack (twice) and Prince George. Brown is the first Rockets rookie goaltender in franchise history to win the first five games he’s started. Brown was granted a free-agent tryout with the Rockets after playing midget hockey last season in Dallas Texas. Brown was originally listed by the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but was dropped because he told them he didn’t want to play there.

Two Head to ADT: Jamie Benn and Tyler Myers have been named to team WHL, which will face the Russians in the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge next month. Games will be played in Swift Current and Prince Albert Saskatchewan.

Benn P-O-W: Rockets forward Jamie Benn is the Western Hockey League Player of the Week. Benn had 9 points in three games last week, helping the Rockets to a record of 2-1-0-0. Benn had 5 goals and 4 assists and was a +1 over those three games.

Cap’n Colin: The Rockets announced last Thursday that 19 year-old Colin Long has been named the captain for 2008-2009. Long becomes the 17th captain in Rockets history. Long’s assistants are Jamie Benn, Cody Almond and Lucas Bloodoff. Long was the Rockets 11th round pick in the 2004 WHL draft.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 6-1-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 35-14. The Rockets had a seven game home ice winning streak snapped last Saturday night with a 3-2 setback to Brandon. Prior to the loss, the Rockets last setback at home was a 2-0 loss to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have scored the most power play goals in the WHL this season. The Rockets have scored 29 goals with the extra man…Jamie Benn has 11 goals in his last 8 games. Benn has 11+9=20 over that period. Benn is riding a 8 game point streak over that period….Colin Long enters tonight’s game with 158 career points and played in his 177th career game tonight…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 16 of the team’s 17 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat…Kris Lazaruk has started 13 of the Rockets 17 games this season…Adam Brown has started in three of the last five. Brown is 5-0-0-0 as a starter….The Rockets have played in just four-one goal game this season. Those games were a 3-2 win against Seattle, a 2-1 loss in Portland in game #2, a 5-4 win in game #4 and a 3-2 loss to Brandon Saturday night…Tyson Barrie leads the WHL in scoring by defenseman. Barrie has 20 points. Fifteen of Barrie’s 20 points this season have been on the power play (5+10=15).
Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Cody Almond has points in eight of his last eleven games. Almond has 4+5=9 over that period. Almond is playing in his 176th career game tonight. Kyle St. Denis has 5+8=13 in his last eight games. Colin Long has been held off the scoreboard by Brandon, Lethbridge and Vancouver this season. Jamie Benn has 47 goals in just 65 career games. Tyson Barrie has points in eleven of his first seventeen games. Kyle Verdino, Collin Bowman and Kyle St. Denis lead the Rockets with a +6 rating.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 9-6-1-1 in their first seventeen games. The Rockets scored 55 goals in their first seventeen games last season. After seventeen games a year ago the Rockets had allowed 53 goals against. The Rockets are 4 and 6 on the road this season, having been out-scored 40-34. Last year after ten road games the Rockets were 6-3-0-1, and outscored the opposition 35-27.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• What's Tysen Dowzak's mindset coming back to the Rockets? Dowzak's stint in the pro's before being moved back to junior shouldn't be considered a failure, but as an opportunity to be a stabilizing force on a pretty good team. Dowzak is now a top 4 defenseman, something he moved in and out of last season. I thought Dowzak's play in the first half of last season was great, before it tailed off in the second half. Why that happened is any ones guess, but the Rockets can only benefit from his veteran presence on a defensive core that consisted of 5-17 year-olds and two 18 year-olds.
• It was a tough call for Rockets head coach Ryan Huska Wednesday night to pull goaltender Kris Lazaruk from the game when the T-Birds tied the game at two. Do I think it was the right move? Yes. I didn't like either goals Lazaruk gave up, yet it would have been interesting to see the veteran goaltender battle through that adversity and bounce back after two suspect goals. Yet points are paramount at any time during the season, so do you take the gamble by keeping him in with the possibility of the trend of soft goals continuing?
• Congrats to Jamie Benn and Tyler Myers for being named to Team WHL for the A-D-T Canada/Russia Challenge next month. Benn and Myers will play in both or one of the two games November 26th and 27th in Swift Current or Prince Albert. The two games are a platform for Benn and Myers to make one more impression on the Team Canada scouting staff in an effort to get an invite to the World Junior teams main camp in December.
• The last Rockets player to participate in the A-D-T Canada/Russian Challenge was Luke Schenn.
• Cam Ward is another goaltender that came close to winning his first 5 starts as a WHL rookie. Ward was 4-0-0-0 with a tie in his first 5 starts as a new face with the Red Deer Rebels in 2000-2001. Rockets goaltender Adam Brown is 5-0-0-0 as a starter in his first season in the WHL.
• Jamie Benn is on pace to score 72 goals this season. Scary! The last player to score 72+ goals in the WHL was Pavel Brendl, who scored 73 times with the Calgary Hitmen in 1998-99.
• Benn and Long are one-two in league scoring. When was the last time teammates were one-two in league scoring? It was 2006-2007 when Eric Fehr and Ryan Stone were 1-2 in league scoring with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
• Seattle Thunderbirds GM Russ Farwell can sympathize with the Rockets after losing Luke Schenn at the tender age of 18. Farwell lost Patrick Marleau to the San Jose Sharks as an 18 year-old back in 1997. Marleau was taken 2nd overall by the Sharks that season. Marleau put up 51 goals and collecting 125 points in his draft year.
• In speaking to Farwell Wednesday night, he reminisced about being the GM of the Medicine Hat Tigers and watching one of his players come back to junior after playing 31 NHL games. That may not sound odd, but that player than stuck around for yet another year for more seasoning. Murray Craven - the Detroit Red Wings #1 pick in 1982 - started the season with the Wings in 1983-84 only to be sent back to junior. Upon Craven's return, the centreman would collect 46 points in the Tigers final 28 regular season games. You would think Craven would automatically move up to the Wings the very next year, yet Detroit again sent him back to the WHL where he'd score 38 goals and pick up 94 points. The mistake to push Craven into the NHL at a young age killed his confidence. After just 15 games in 1983-84 with the Wings, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers. Three years later (with the Flyers) Craven would score a career high 30 goals.
• Congrats to Mitch Fritz for making his NHL debut Thursday for the New York Islanders. Fritz played 110 games with the Kelowna Rockets over two seasons and after 8 years in the minors, the 6'8 250 forward got his big break playing on a line with Nate Thompson and Richard Park.

He's Backl!

Tysen Dowzak is coming back to the Kelowna Rockets. The New York Rangers informed the Rockets he will be returning to the WHL despite signing a entry level NHL contract. Dowzak now joins Kris Lazaruk as the two overage players on the Rockets roster this season. Dowzak will be in the lineup Saturday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

11 Points For #1 Line

• The Rockets number one line of Jamie Benn, Lucas Bloodoff and Colin Long combined for 11 points in a 7-3 win over Seattle. Benn and Long each had 1+3=4 while Bloodoff had 2+1=3 and got into a fight in the second period.
• Benn now leads the WHL points parade with 27. Long is a close second with 26.
• Adam Brown came into the game in relief of starter Kris Lazaruk after the T-Birds tied the game at 2. Brown would make 19 saves, allowing just the one goal, for his 5th straight win of his young WHL career. According to my research, no rookie goaltender with the Kelowna Rockets has ever managed to win their first five starts. Kristofer Westblom came close in 2004-2005 with a record of 3 wins, a tie and a loss in his first five starts. Westbom would lose just once in 18 starts that season, going 12-1-1 with four ties and four shutouts.
• The only goaltender that comes close to winning his first five career starts is Kamloops Blazers netminder Kenric Exner. Exner went 24 starts in his rookie season in 1998-99 without losing a game. Exner had 3 wins and two ties in his first five career starts.
• Why would Kris Lazaruk be pulled in a 2-2 game? Well the Rockets had a 2-0 lead after the first period only to see the T-Birds score two goals on their first four shots of the second period. The tieing goal by Jim O'Brien came after a Prab Rai slap shot from just inside the blueline that Lazaruk stopped, but issued a huge rebound that bounced off of O'Brien and into the net.
• Brown's 2nd period relief appearance came as a surprise to the rookie goaltender, who was wearing brand new white pads during warmup. After Brown came away without allowing a goal on the 8 shots he faced in the second period, the 17 year-old quickly changed to his old pads, which my guess were a little more worked in, for the third period.
• Rookie defenseman Curt Gogol jumped out of the comfort zone with a first period fight with T-Birds forward Chris Cloud. The 17 year-old held his ground against the 20 year-old Cloud. It's small moves like that, that catch the eye of the coaching staff and tend to earn you more ice time.
• Both Dylan Hood and Evan Bloodoff had tremendous goals in this one. Hood's goal came after great speed to the outside before backhanding the puck past a startled T-Birds goaltender Jacob DeSerrres. Evan Bloodoff's goal also was the result of great speed during a race for a loose puck just inside the T-Birds blueline. Bloodoff won the battle to the puck, skated in on a clear cut breakaway and deposited the puck high over DeSerres blocker side.
• The TBirds looked out of sync. For a skilled team they struggled passing, and created very few odd man rushes with their speed. For a team that has very few changes from a season ago, they play more as individuals that as a team. I can't point my finger on it, but this T-Bird team should be much better than it's record shows. I will cut them some slack with a wicked road schedule to start the season.

Rockets Game Notes vs. Seattle

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets play game three of a five game home-stand tonight against the Seattle Thunderbirds. It’s the second of four meetings between these two teams this season. The Rockets were a 3-2 winner over the T-Birds in Seattle back on October 18th. Colin Long, Stepan Novotny and Lucas Bloodoff scored goals for the Rockets, who out-shot the T-Birds 30-18. The Rockets were 1/7 on the power play while the T-Birds were 1 for 5. After tonight’s game the two teams meet again January 7th before closing out the seasonal series in Kent Washington on January 31/09. The Rockets had a five game home ice winning streak snapped Saturday night with a 3-2 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Jamie Benn and Tyson Barrie each scored power play goals in the setback. Kris Lazaruk suffered the loss in goal making 27 saves. Following tonight’s game the Rockets host Lethbridge Saturday night before a rare Sunday afternoon home date (5 pm) against the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Rockets next road game is Tuesday November 4th against the Tri City Americans.

Mr. Brown Without a Frown: Rockets rookie goaltender Adam Brown is 4-0-0-0 this season. Brown has wins over Seattle, Chilliwack (twice) and Prince George. Brown has recorded back-to-back shutouts and has not allowed a goal in 139 minutes and 4 seconds. The last goal Brown allowed was to Seattle’s Chris Cloud when the T-Bird forward scored a shorthanded goal at 19:56 of the second period on October 18th.

Benn P-O-W: Rockets forward Jamie Benn is the Western Hockey League Player of the Week. Benn had 9 points in three games last week, helping the Rockets to a record of 2-1-0-0. Benn had 5 goals and 4 assists and was a +1 over those three games. Benn is tied for the league lead in goals with 13.

Cap’n Colin: The Rockets announced last Thursday that 19 year-old Colin Long has been named the captain for 2008-2009. Long becomes the 17th captain in Rockets history. Long’s assistants are Jamie Benn, Cody Almond and Lucas Bloodoff. Long was the Rockets 11th round pick in the 2004 WHL draft.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 5-1-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 28-11. The Rockets had a seven game home ice winning streak snapped Saturday night. Prior to the loss to Brandon the Rockets last setback at home was a 2-0 loss to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have scored the most power play goals in the WHL this season. The Rockets 27 goals with the extra man are one better than Calgary’s 26….Jamie Benn has 10 goals in his last 7 games. Benn has 10+6=16 over that period. Benn is riding a 7 game point streak over that period….Colin Long had a six game point streak snapped Saturday against Brandon. Long had 7 goals and 6 assists over that stretch.…Kyle St Denis has 5 goals in his last eight games and has 11 points in his last 6 contests, yet is out close to 6 weeks with a broken wrist suffered last Friday against Chilliwack…Colin Long enters tonight’s game with 154 career points and played in his 175th game Saturday vs. the Wheat Kings…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 15 of the team’s 16 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat…Kris Lazaruk has started 12 of the Rockets 16 games this season…Adam Brown has started in three of the last four. Brown is 4-0-0-0 as a starter….The Rockets have played in just four-one goal game this season. Those games were a 3-2 win against Seattle, a 2-1 loss in Portland in game #2, a 5-4 win in game #4 and a 3-2 loss to Brandon Saturday night…Tyson Barrie leads the WHL in scoring by defenseman. Barrie has 20 points. Fifteen of Barrie’s 20 points this season have been on the power play (5+10=15).

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Cody Almond has points in seven of his last ten games. Almond has 4+4=8 over that period. Almond is playing in his 175th career game tonight. Kyle St. Denis has 5+8=13 in his last eight games. Colin Long has been held off the scoreboard by Brandon, Lethbridge and Vancouver this season. Jamie Benn has 46 goals in just 64 career games. Tyson Barrie has points in eleven of his first sixteen games.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 8-6-1-1 in their first sixteen games. The Rockets scored 51 goals in their first sixteen games last season. After sixteen games a year ago the Rockets had allowed 50 goals against. The Rockets are 4 and 6 on the road this season, having been out-scored 40-34. Last year after ten road games the Rockets were 6-3-0-1, and outscored the opposition 35-27.

Schenn Interview

I spoke to Luke Schenn today from Toronto.

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0839.MP3&nid=816849

Who Do We Blame For The Loss of Luke Schenn?

Before we start feeling sorry for ourselves over the loss of Luke Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs, let's not forget about what we had the priviledge of witnessing over the last three years.
We had a player who came to the Rockets as a wide eyed 15 year-old (he didn't turn 16 until early November), fresh off a midget season with the Saskatoon Contacts. This defensive defenseman that the Rockets selected in the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft was picked 20th overall that year, behind players like Colton Gilles (#2), Thomas Hickey (#3), Brandon Sutter (#6), Drayson Bowman (#8), Paul Postma (#12th) and Tysen Sexsmith (#14th). At #20, how good could this kid from Saskatoon be?

The answer - darn good!
In Kelowna we were able to witness Luke Schenn play 189 games over three seasons, a far cry in comparison to what other teams have had to indure over the years. How about the Prince Albert Raiders? Scott Hartnell was the Raiders first round bantam pick in 1997, and would eventually be selected in the first round of the NHL draft by Nashville in 2000. Hartnell played just 128 games in P-A before playing full time in the NHL. Scottie Upshall, a first round pick of the Predators in 2002 played 173 games with the Kamloops Blazers before being whisked away by the NHL. And most recently Peter Mueller, a first round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006, played just 103 games in Everett before playing full time as a 19 year-old at the NHL level. By comparison, we were spoiled to have Schenn around for 198 regular season games and an additional 19 in post season.
I can already hear Okanagan hockey fans blaming Leafs head coach Ron Wilson for making a poor decision in keeping Schenn rather than returning him back to major junior. But if we are taking that ridiculous mindset, why don't we make it even broader. We should blame Rockets director of player personnel Lorne Frey for making such an astute pick at the 20th spot back in 2004. What was he thinking? Why couldn't fate have seen the Rockets pick Randy Kerr instead? Let's blame Frey's hockey knowledge for selecting a player that would play just three short seasons in Kelowna. Ridiculous right?
Absolutely.
Let's go a step further towards bizarre. Let's blame the Rockets organization for giving Schenn the environment to succeed. He was treated like a pro the first time he wore a Rockets uniform on September 23/05 against the Vancouver Giants. Let's blame Jeff Truitt, who guided the Rockets in the fall of 2005, for inserting the 16 year-old in the lineup 60 times in his rookie season. Had he played less, maybe his development would have been stunted? Let's blame the fans for cheering him on during his time in a Rockets uniform. The cheer of 'L-U-K-E' every time he made a good hit or a nice play only gave him confidence to excel at his position. Fans what were you thinking? The Kelowna media - me included - should be blamed for interviewing him over the last three years and giving him some confidence in handling the hard nosed media he now faces in Toronto.
You get my point?
Fingers shouldn't be pointed, but our hands should come together in celebration as we see another Kelowna Rockets player move on to the NHL. Schenn may have accomplished his goal quicker than a Scott Hannan, Josh Gorges or Shea Weber, but we've celebrated the Rockets alumni that have earned full time employment at the National Hockey League level in the past, why would Luke Schenn be any different?
Now we can say with pride that Luke Schenn is apart of that Kelowna Rockets graduating class. Let's just hope now that the Leafs handle Schenn as well as the Kelowna Rockets organization did.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• Look for a place to live kid! That's what I anticipate will come, or has come out of the mouth of Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher in speaking with defenseman Luke Schenn. Schenn plays his 9th NHL game Tuesday night where the Leafs will then decide if he should stay with the team or be sent back to junior. Schenn has done everything and more to prove that he is NHL ready. Will he have some stumbles along the way? Sure he will? But Schenn has demonstrated in the first 8 regular season games that he isn't intimidated playing against much older competition. (Update: Leafs announce Schenn will stay with Leafs)
• While the Leafs will be questioned on their decision to keep or send Schenn back to junior, I can't see them making the mistake of not sending him to the World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa. That may be the only junior hockey Schenn plays this season.
• I plan on speaking with Luke this afternoon, and will post the interview if all the pieces fall into place.
• Speaking of odd e-mails, I received one from a lady in Toronto inquiring about Luke Schenn. The question had nothing to do about Luke Schenn's on ice preformance, but more about his personal life. She wants to know if Luke has a girl friend. Let's just say Schenn appears to be popular with the ladies as the Leafs poster boy. Did I answer here e-mail with the information she requested? No! Furthermore, I'm the Rockets radio broadcaster, not a matchmaker on an on-line dating service.
• Was it just the officiating Saturday night, or does the WHL have to look at the way it handles altercations following a clean hit? Rockets forward Evan Bloodoff engaged in two big hits against the Wheat Kings, only to get involved in a fight for his actions. My problem isn't with the Wheat Kings player who comes after Bloodoff for running over a teammate, but the fact that both Bloodoff and that player are penalized equally when it is all said and done. In my opinion, if that Wheat Kings player wants to go after Bloodoff he needs to be accessed the extra two minutes for instigating. Is this not the normal call? It wasn't Saturday night.
• Torrie Jung had a successful weekend. Jung played in two games for the Edmonton Oil Kings on the weekend, allowed five goals while sporting a record of 1-0-0-1. Can you imagine if Jung gets the start when the Oil Kings are in Kelowna in early November? Do the Rockets start Kris Lazaruk in goal? It was Lazaruk who was acquired the night before the regular season started from the Kootenay Ice, essentially ended Jung's time in a Rockets uniform.
• Speaking of the Oil Kings, what's up with Brett Breitkreuz? The former Rocket is on fire. His 21 points in 17 games is impressive. Five of his 9 goals this season are on the power play. Rockets director of player personnel Lorne Frey picked Breitkruez in the 2nd round of the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft behind some kid named Schenn?
• An interesting conversation with Wheat Kings GM Kelly McCrimmon Saturday night led us to the issue of cell phone use. Unless you've had your head in the sand, every player now has a cell phone and text messaging to friends continuously can be a major problem. On game days these players should be busy preparing for the game, not texting back and forth to a buddy or girl friend who is miles away. Let's just say the distractions on the road are much different then they were 15 years ago.
• Speaking of which, how much has the dynamics on the team bus changed over the years? Modern technology has us with our own i-pods, laptops and cell phones. If we are really bored we can watch a movie on the big screen on the team bus. Who needs to communicate with one another? In the good old days players passed the time by playing cards with one another or simply talking to each other. I'm not saying all communication has been lost, but does today's junior hockey player know as much about his teammates as he used too?

Benn - WHL Player of Week

The Kelowna Rockets couldn't lose when it came to picking up the WHL Player of the Week award.
Jamie Benn picked up the honour after picking up nine point (5+4=9) in three games last week. The WHL also nominated Rockets goaltender Adam Brown for the award. Brown posted a record of 2 and 0 last week with back-to-back shutouts.

One On One with Kelly McCrimmon

Brandon Wheat Kings GM/Head Coach Kelly McCrimmon is one of the smartest minds in the game. So I thought I'd ask McCrimmon a series of questions, not dealing specifically with his team but the league as a whole.

What does McCrimmon think of NHL GM's discussing the possibility of issuing a minor penalty to a player who leaves both of his feet when blocking a shot? Would McCrimmon like to see more 20 year-olds in the WHL? Cell phone use is common place by WHL players these days, but can it be a problem on the road? Listen and find out.

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0834.MP3&nid=815284

Crowned By The Kings

• The Brandon Wheat Kings had the Rockets back on their heels in the first period, yet it was the home team that had the visitors on the ropes as the Rockets rallied in an attempted to find the equalizing goal in a 3-2 home ice loss. The Wheat Kings scored just 21 seconds into the opening period, and were clearly the better team after twenty minutes. I thought the Rockets got better as the game went on, thanks to the power play and several big penalty kills including two 5 on 3's. Yet the game winner was scored when the Rockets were down two men late in the second period.
• The Wheat Kings pressure was a far cry from the passive forecheck the Chilliwack Bruins attempted to throw towards the Rockets in the previous two games. The Rockets took a full 20 minutes to adjust to a pressure game that only an elite team can deliver. The Wheat Kings pressured the Rockets defensive core, resulting in several turnovers and quality chances on Kris Lazurak.
• Evan Bloodoff wasn't given a star in the game but it was the speedy forwards work ethic and ability to make two solid hits that provided energy for his team. Bloodoff's first big hit resulted in the 18 year-old getting into a scrap with 6'3 211 pound Wheat Kings forward Jordon Hale.
• Rockets veteran goaltender Kris Lazurak needed a strong game, and played well in his first start in four games. While he wasn't a difference maker, he didn't cost his team either. I was concerned about his outing after giving up a goal on the Wheat Kings first shot, but he settled down and played pretty well.
• The Rockets learned before the game that forward Kyle St. Denis will miss no less than 4 weeks with a broken wrist. The broken scaphoid happened in Friday night's game against Chilliwack. Forward Dylan Hood was moved onto a line with Cody Almond and Brandon McMillan to fill the void left my St. Denis. Here is the audio of a conversation I had with St. Denis about the injury: www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0816.MP3&nid=815001
• Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn took a late 5 minute major penalty for elbowing which almost let the Rockets back in the game. Schenn hammered Hood behind the net, sending the Rockets forward to the dressing room with under 5 minutes left in the 3rd period. The Rockets would score on a 5 on 3 to make it 3-2, but that's as close as they would come.
• The Wheat Kings are a fun team to watch. Who was I most impressed by? Scott Glennie has great outside speed, and used it several times to break away from a Rockets defenseman. I would love to see a race between Glennie and Brandon McMillan. McMillan also has great speed to the outside, but unfortunately didn't use it against the Wheat Kings.
• I spoke to Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn before last night's game. We discussed the future of his big brother Luke. We both agreed that he will likely stay in the NHL this season, and if that happens, Brayden deserves a big Christmas present as his older brother will be pulling in some hardcore cash.

Bad News

Kelowna Rockets forward Kyle St. Denis is out 4 to 6 weeks with a broken wrist. The injury happened last night against the Chilliwack Bruins.

St. Denis was third in team scoring with 7 goals and 11 assists in 15 games this season. I will post an interview with St. Denis later on tonight, or join us for the pre-game show on AM-1150.

Game Notes vs. Wheat Kings

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets play game two of a five game home-stand tonight against the Brandon Wheat Kings. It’s the only meeting of the season between the two teams. These two teams met twice last season including December 12/2007 in Brandon with the Rockets earning a 5-4 win. Colin Long (2+3=5) and Jamie Benn (2+2=4) led the Rockets offensive attack. In Brandon’s last appearance at Prospera Place on February 14th, the Rockets earned a lopsided 8-2 victory. Colin Long (1+3=4) and Brady Leavold (2+3=5) led the attack. The last Wheat Kings win in Kelowna came October 28/06 in a 7-1 victory. Mark Derlago had two goals and two assists in the win while Luke Schenn scored the lone goal for the home team. The last time the Rockets shutout the Wheat Kings was October 30, 1999 in a 4-0 win. Kevin Swanson made 20 saves. Following tonight’s game the Rockets host Seattle Wednesday. The Rockets are 5-0-0-0 at home this season, and have won a season high three straight games overall.

Last Night’s Lime Light: Jamie Benn and Colin Long each scored twice and added an assist in a 6-0 win over Chilliwack. Cody Almond and Dylan Hood scored in the Rockets 9th win of the season. Adam Brown recorded the shutout making 14 saves. The Rockets were 3 for 6 on the power play and received a shorthanded goal from Benn in the third period. The Rockets out-shot the Bruins 36-14.

Brown Does It Again: For the second straight start, rookie goaltender Adam Brown earned a shutout. Brown becomes the first Rockets goaltender to record back-to-back shutouts since Derek Yeomans turned the trick with back-to-back goose eggs January 28/06 against Kootenay before another shutout against Everett February 1st. The last time the Rockets recorded back-to-back shutouts was February 3/2007 in a 2-0 win over Vancouver followed by a 4-0 victory over Portland February 7th. Oddly enough in the first shutout Kristofer Westblom and Torrie Jung shared the duties before Jung made 17 saves against the Winter Hawks. In case you are wondering, Kelly Guard had three consecutive shutouts in late October 2003 without allowing a goal against Prince Albert, Vancouver and Kamloops.

Cap’n Colin: The Rockets announced Thursday that 19 year-old Colin Long has been named the captain for 2008-2009. Long becomes the 17th captain in Rockets history. Long’s assistants are Jamie Benn, Cody Almond and Lucas Bloodoff. Long was the Rockets 11th round pick in the 2004 WHL draft.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 5-0-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 26-8. The Rockets are riding a seven game home ice winning streak dating back to last season. The Rockets last home ice loss was a 2-0 setback to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

That’s a Fact Jack: Jamie Benn has 9 goals in his last 6 games. Benn has 9+5=14 over that period. Benn is riding a 6 game point streak over that period….Colin Long is also riding a six game point streak (7+6=13)…Kyle St Denis has 5 goals in his last eight games and has 11 points in his last 6 contests…..Prior to Wednesday’s 5-0 shutout win in Chilliwack, when was the last time the Rockets recorded a shutout on the road? The Rockets shutout the Kootenay Ice 6-0 January 28/06 in Cranbrook….Long enters tonight’s game with 154 career points and is playing in his 175th game tonight…Long has points in eleven of his first thirteen games this season…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 14 of the team’s 15 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat…Kris Lazaruk has started 11 of the Rockets 15 games this season…Adam Brown has started in three straight. Brown is 4-0-0-0 as a starter….The Rockets have played in just three-one goal game this season. Those games were a 3-2 win Seattle Saturday, a 2-1 loss in Portland in game #2 and a 5-4 win in game #4…Tyson Barrie leads the WHL in scoring by defenseman. Barrie has 18 points. Thirteen of Barrie’s 18 points this season have been on the power play (4+9=13).

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Cody Almond has points in seven of his last nine games. Almond has 4+4=8 over that period. Almond is playing in his 174th career game tonight. Kyle St. Denis has 5+8=13 in his last eight games. Colin Long has been held off the scoreboard by Lethbridge and Vancouver this season. Jamie Benn has 45 goals in just 63 career games. Tyson Barrie has points in ten of his first fifteen games.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 7-6-1-1 in their first fifteen games. The Rockets scored 47 goals in their first fifteen games last season. After fifteen games a year ago the Rockets had allowed 47 goals against. The Rockets are 4 and 6 on the road this season, having been out-scored 40-34. Last year after ten road games the Rockets were 6-3-0-1, and outscored the opposition 35-27.

Home Cook'n Tastes Good

• For a second straight meeting against the Chilliwack Bruins, the Rockets cruised to victory. Friday's game - a 6-0 Rockets win - was as lopsided as Wednesday's 5-0 win in the 'Wack'. Jamie Benn and Colin Long each scored twice in the victory while rookie Adam Brown had an easy night making just 14 saves.
• Brown has now recorded back-to-back shutouts. It's the first time a Rockets goaltender has accomplished the feat since Derek Yeomans had back-to-back shutouts in 2006.
• Before you get too excited, the Rockets did record back-to-back shutouts in the 2006-2007 season when Kristofer Westblom and Torrie Jung shared the shutout in a 2-0 win over Vancouver before Torrie Jung made 17 saves a few nights later against Portland.
• Kelly Guard holds the Rockets record for three consecutive shutouts in 2003-2004. Whats amazing is Guard not only played three straight games without allowing a goal, but he shut out the opposition in back-to-back starts twice that season.
• While the Chilliwack Bruins are praying to the hockey gods for the return of Oscar Moller from the LA Kings, would Moller turn the teams offensive woes around? Sure he'd be a shot in the arm offensively, but I just don't see much of a supporting cast if the Swede returns to junior.
• I will give props to Bruins goaltender Mark Friesen, who stood tall despite his teams inept offense. Friesen never got the yank despite giving up six goals. Only one I would consider being stoppable...that was the Dylan Hood goal to make it 4-0.
• Kyle St. Denis took the rest of the night off after jamming his wrist in the second period.
• The Rockets are unbeaten at home this season. The Rockets are 5-0-0-0. The only other teams not to lose in regulation time at home are Medicine Hat, Tri City, Vancouver and....ya Prince George.
• The Rockets have now scored 60 goals this season, second best only to Vancouver's 66 in the Western Conference. Only three teams in the WHL have scored 60 or more goals this season. The Rockets (60), Calgary (61) and Vancouver (66).
• The Rockets have now scored the most power play goals in the WHL (26). Calgary is a close second with 24.
• Jamie Benn and Colin Long now lead the league in goals with 12.
• The Rockets won't be able to surprise the Brandon Wheat Kings tonight. Head coach Kelly McCrimmon and his assistants took in the game.

Audio Blogging

Here is Colin Long on being the new captain of the Rockets:

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0810.MP3&nid=813582

Here is a conversation I had with Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton on the teams new captain:

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0811.MP3&nid=813583

Note: With both interviews, be patient and allow it to load.

Cap'n Colin

Colin Long has been officially named the new captain of the Kelowna Rockets.

Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton addresses the media conference as he introduces Colin Long as the teams 17th captain. Long's assistant captains from left to right are Jamie Benn, Lucas Bloodoff and Cody Almond.


Ryan Huska video at Thursday's press conference.



Jamie Benn gets some press thanks to the bright lights of Shaw Cable.

Brown Bags A Shutout

• While illusionist David Copperfield was creating magic at Prospera Place in Kelowna Wednesday night, Rockets rookie goaltender Adam Brown was pulling a shutout out of his hat down the road at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack. Brown - making his second straight start - made 15 saves leading the Rockets to a 5-0 win over the Bruins, in the teams 8th win of the season.
• Brown remains undefeated this season. Brown is now 3-0-0-0 after Wednesday’s win. Brown has victories over Chilliwack, Seattle and Everett. Over those three games Brown has allowed just 4 goals.
• While Brown faced just 15 shots, he was still required to make three terrific saves including a beauty off of Randy McNaught late in the first period when the Rockets were up 3-0.
• How can you not start Brown at home Friday against the Bruins? The 17 year-old is looking more and more comfortable every time he plays, and staying with the goaltender with the hot hand only makes sense.
• When was the last time the Rockets shutout a team on the road? It was January 28, 2006 in a 6-0 win in Kootenay.
• It was a sign of a long night for the Bruins when Rockets forward Cody Almond ringed one off the cross bar less than 3 minutes into the first period. The Rockets clearly dominated the opening period before the Bruins found their game for a brief 5 minutes span early in the second. Overall though, the Rockets dominated the game for 55 minutes.
• How can you have a quiet night and still pick up 4 points? Jamie Benn was named the games first star with two goals and two assists, and was the most dangerous player on the ice with the puck. Yet in a game that was one sided, Benn only needed limited opportunities to flex his offensive muscles.
• Unlike what happened Saturday when Benn wasn’t credited with a goal on a sharp angle shot against Seattle, he got some revenge when he took a similar shot Wednesday night from a sharp angle that hit the inside of the net before quickly bouncing out. For the second straight time the goal judge didn’t turn the red light on, yet this time referee Matt Kirk was in a great position and didn’t hesitate in calling it a goal – which it indeed was.
• Speaking of Kirk, he called a great game. He was never overly involved in the game, and let things go – both ways. I still love the one referee system, and Kirk showed Wednesday that it really does work well.
• The Rockets have won 5 of their last 7 games overall.
• The Rockets won back-to-back road games for the first time this season.
• Brandon McMillan scored once in the win. It was the 18 year-old forwards first goal in 11 games.
• Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton took in Wednesday’s game. It was the first time this season that Hamilton has traveled with the team after conducted both league and CHL business in the first few weeks of the season.

Game Notes vs. Bruins

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets make their first of the season to Chilliwack. It’s the first of 8 meetings between these two teams this season. Following tonight’s game the two teams hook up again Friday in Kelowna. Last season these two teams met 10 times, with the Rockets going 7-3-0-0. The Rockets were 4-1-0-0 at home and 3-2-0-0 in Chilliwack. The Rockets out-scored the Bruins 15-13 at Prospera Place while the two teams each scored 16 goals in the seasonal series at Prospera Centre. The Rockets are concluding a three game road trip tonight. The Rockets are coming off a 3-2 win in Seattle Saturday night. Colin Long, Lucas Bloodoff and Stepan Novotny scored goals for the visitors, while rookie Adam Brown earned his second career win in as many starts. The win came on the heels of a 8-6 loss Friday in Everett. The Tips had a 3-1 lead after twenty minutes and a 4-3 lead after forty minutes. The Rockets had a 6-4 lead with under ten minutes left in the third period before the Tips would score four unanswered goals to win the game. The Rockets were led by two goals from Jamie Benn and Tyson Barrie. Kyle St. Denis – on a penalty shot – and Cody Almond also score for the Rockets, who were 3 for 8 on the power play.

Seasonal Series vs. Bruins:
HOME AWAY
Oct 24: Tonight:
Nov 29: Jan 23:
Dec 6: Feb 22:
Feb 18: March 6:

Road Rash: The Rockets have allowed 7 or more goals in three of their last five road games. The Rockets have played 9 road games this season, tied with Seattle for the league lead. The Rockets are 3 and 6 on opposition ice. The Rockets have scored 6 or more goals on the road three times this season.

Trade Winds Blow: The Rockets traded 19 year-old goaltender Torrie Jung to the Lethbridge Hurricanes Thursday for a 6th round bantam pick. That pick will be upgraded to a 5th round selection if Jung plays with the Hurricanes as a 20 year-old next season. Jung failed to play a game with the Rockets this season after Kris Lazaruk was acquired from the Kootenay Ice just prior to the start of the regular season.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 4-0-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 20-8. The Rockets are riding a six game home ice winning streak dating back to last season. The Rockets last home ice loss was a 2-0 setback to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have the second most power play chances in the WHL (86). Only Kootenay has had more (87)…The Rockets have allowed 48 goals against. Only Edmonton (63) and Kamloops (53) have allowed more goals than the Rockets this season. The Rockets have opened the scoring in four of the last seven games…After going the first two regular season games without a goal, Jamie Benn has now scored goals in six of his last eight games….Colin Long has 4+3=7 in his last four games. Long enters tonight’s game with 148 career points and is playing in his 173rd game tonight…Long has points in nine of his first eleven games this season…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 12 of the team’s 13 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat…Kris Lazaruk has started 11 of the Rockets 13 games this season…The Rockets have played in just three-one goal game this season. Those games were a 3-2 win Seattle Saturday, a 2-1 loss in Portland in game #2 and a 5-4 win in game #4…Tyson Barrie leads the WHL in scoring by defenseman. Barrie has 14 points. Ten of Barrie’s 14 points this season have been on the power play (4+6=10).

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Cody Almond has points in six of his last seven games. Almond has 3+4=7 over that period. Almond is playing in his 172nd career game tonight. Kyle St. Denis has 4+5=9 in his last six games. Colin Long has been held off the scoreboard by Lethbridge and Vancouver this season. Jamie Benn has 41 goals in just 61 career games. Benn has goals in six of his last eight games. Benn has 8 goals over that stretch. Tyson Barrie has points in eight of his first thirteen games. Brandon McMillan has gone 10 games without a goal. McMillan’s last goal came Oct 26/08 against Kamloops.

Jung Traded

Torrie Jung is an Edmonton Oil King. The Lethbridge Hurricanes traded Jung to the Oil Kings Tuesday. Jung was sent to the Oil Kings for a 6th rounder. Jung and the Oil Kings are in Kelowna November 2nd.
The trade doesn't surprise me considering Jung was not in the Hurricanes lineup last night. In fact I e-mailed him last night asking him why he was watching from the stands. His reply? I've been traded.
Now Jung gets what he wants...the number one goaltending duties with a WHL team. One problem though. He will be playing with a team that has allowed the most goals in the WHL.

Paraphrasing My Convo With Bruce Hamilton

Here is a conversation I had with Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton. The audio version of this interview can be heard prior to Wednesday night's game in Chilliwack:

• Hamilton says it hasn't been the teams defense that has struggled as much as the goaltending so far this season. Hamilton doesn't think his team needs to score 5 or 6 goals to win, yet that's been the case this season.


• Hamilton calls the goaltending a "concern". He says too many pucks are going through Lazaruk, and that needs to change in a hurry.
• The Rockets are looking into the status of overage defenseman Tysen Dowzak. Dowzak has played in just one American Hockey League game this season. Newport Sports Management wrote up the contract and one of the clauses is an option to go back to junior if he was sent down to the East Coast Hockey League. Is Dowzak injured or has he been a healthy scratch? Hamilton is looking into the situation.
• Hamilton isn't holding his breath on Luke Schenn returning to the Rockets this season. Hamilton says veteran (Leafs) players are sitting out so Schenn can play. Hamilton says he would be "shocked" if he came back.
• Overage forward Scott Doucet was released by the Regina Pats Monday. Hamilton told me he is not interested in acquiring him despite having two overage spots available.


• Hamilton is looking at finding a veteran defenseman to help eleviate the minutes played by Tyson Barrie, Collin Bowman and Tyler Myers. Hamilton says Myers is his greatest concern because he is playing huge minutes. Hamilton says playing him too much puts him at a risk of injury.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm....

• If Kyle Beach plays the way he did Friday against the Kelowna Rockets he will do one of two things. He will: a) Force the Chicago Black Hawks to make him a regular with their team next season: b) Other WHL team's will show interested in acquired him near or at the trade deadline for a long run through the playoffs.
• Beach has proven he's tough enough, but his sudden show of 'turning the cheek' for the betterment of the team is impressive. I am not saying he won't snap at some point this season when the opposition gets under his skin, but teams reluctant on acquiring him because of his lack of discipline on the ice may now be thinking twice. Was it just a rare night against the Rockets that Beach stayed out of trouble, or is it the new and improved Kyle Beach? Only time will tell.
• I haven't given up on Kris Lazaruk. I believe he can rebound from a rough start in a Rockets uniform, but his next start is a big one. I am not sure if he is doubting his own game right now, but he needs to prove to his teammates that he delivers on what management believed was a top end goaltender when they acquired him from Kootenay. I am not suggesting that his teammates aren't confident with his play, but giving up soft goals is like a dagger in the heart of a team that is still trying to find their stride in the early stages of the season.
• I wouldn't have envisioned the Rockets being 7-6-0-0 after the first 13 games this season, but lets remember this team has played a truck load of road games. When 9 of the first 13 are played away from Prospera Place your record is bound to take a beating.
• Let me throw this at ya. Let's says the schedule was reversed where the Rockets played 9 of their first 13 at home. Would the Rockets then be 9-4-0-0 considering they are undefeated on home ice this season?
• The Rockets have scored the 3rd most goals in the WHL this season. Only Vancouver (54) and Calgary (52) have scored more than the Rockets 49.
• The bad news is the Rockets have allowed 48 goals against this season. Only Edmonton(63) and Kamloops (53) have allowed more.
• The Rockets have had the second most power play chances in the WHL this season. Only Kootenay (87) has more power play chances than the Rockets 86.
• I want to publicly thank Colin Long's dad for a book he gave me when I ran into him last weekend in Everett. Steve Long presented me with a book entitled "How to make a million dollars with your voice (or lose your tonsils trying)." When my wife saw the book she urged me to read it immediately saying "you are a long way away from making a million dollars with that voice."
• Who has the ugly distinction of losing to the Portland Winter Hawks this season? The Hawks are 1 and 9 this year, with their one win coming against the Kelowna Rockets in a 2-1 victory in the second game of the season.
• How long is it before Hawks veteran goaltender Kurtis Mucha asks for a trade? Even the Phoenix Coyotes - the team that gave him a free agent tryout - wouldn't like the situation the veteran is in. Facing quality shots is one thing...losing continuously is another.

Photos From A Final Visit To Key Arena

A fresh sheet of ice at the KeyArena. Don't let appearances fool you though. Any player will tell you it was one of the worst ice surfaces in the WHL.

This is a picture high above the net at the end of the ice that the T-Birds defend in the 1st and 3rd periods. For T-Bird games the seats are pulled back to accommodate this end of the ice. While seats are situated from this vantage point where the picture was taken, they are not available for public use during T-Birds games. Sitting here would be hockey suicide, as their is no netting to save your head or face from being hit by a stray puck.

This is outside the T-Birds dressing room at the KeyArena. I've been inside the dressing room before and it is nothing to write home about. I am sure the T-Birds will have a much better set-up in their new digs in Kent.

This is a picture underneath the grandstands at the Key. This is where all of the court side chairs and hoops were stashed when the Sonics weren't playing and the T-Birds were the focal point..

This is just one of the dressing rooms at the Key. This one was used primarily for basketball, but the visitors dressing room wasn't much different.

I had to take a picture of the shower stall because of the height of the shower head. The picture doesn't do justice to it's height, but at 5'9 the water nob is at my throat. I would have to leap into the air to even move the shower head. These showers were designed specifically for NBA players obviously, but I am sure 6'7 Tyler Myers is in heaven every time he used the shower at the Key.

Over my 14 seasons in the WHL, this sign tells you where to enter the KeyArena. The majority of the signs at the 'Key' were in green and yellow, the team colours of the NBA's Seattle Sonics. The Sonics no longer play in the building either after moving to Oklahoma City.

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.

Kyle Beach About to Sign?

Here is the interview I had with Everett Silvertips forward Kyle Beach.

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0777.MP3&nid=810335

Defensive Deficiencies

• The Kelowna Rockets scored an impressive 6 goals last night on the road. The only problem was they gave up 8. The Rockets are now 2 and 6 on the road this season, but the real concern is the number of goals they are allowing so far this season.
• The Rockets have given up 46 goals so far this season. Only Kamloops (48) have given up more in the Western Conference.
• The Rockets had the game within their grasp after scoring the first - three goals of the third period and building up a 6-4 lead with just under 10 minutes left in regulation. But the Tips would battle back with three straight goals, and an empty netter to win their 5th game of the season.
• Veteran goaltender Kris Lazaruk allowed 7 goals on 31 shots. Credit the Tips for the goals they scored, but Lazaruk needs to be a difference maker as a 20 year-old goaltender. He was as a good as his counterpart at the other end, Tips netminder Shayne Brown. The only problem is Lazaruk is two years older and has 89 more games under his belt.
• For the third time in the last four road games the Rockets were guilty of giving up 7 or more goals. The Rockets have given up 7 goals against Vancouver and Lethbridge and a season high 8 against the Tips in last night's loss.
• Kyle Beach again had the Rockets number. Beach had 4 assists, was a +4 and didn't take a penalty. Is this the same Kyle Beach from last season? He's a year smarter, and showed he'll take an assist as quick as a goal by passing the puck (rather than shooting) to teammate Matthew Ius for an easy empty netter. I'll post the interview I had with Beach by 1 pm Saturday afternoon.
• While Beach was a +4, Rockets forward Colin Long was a -5. Long still managed 2 assists.
• Jamie Benn again had a solid game, scoring twice. Benn already has 8 goals, one off the league lead.
• When was the last time the Rockets gave up 8 goals on the road? October 5, 2002 the Rockets were a 8-6 loser in Medicine Hat.
• Colin Long's parents were in attendance at last night's game.

Game Notes vs. Tips

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets make their first visit of the season to the Comcast Arena in Everett. The Rockets were 1-0-1-0 in Everett last season, winning 6-4 and suffering a 3-2 loss in overtime. In the last three appearances in Everett the Rockets have managed to earn at least a point (1-0-1-1). The last setback in Everett came September 29/06 in a 4-1 loss. The Rockets enter tonight’s game having won back-to-back games and have won 3 of their last 4. The only blemish was a 7-1 loss in Vancouver last Friday. The Rockets are coming off a 3-1 win over Prince Albert Wednesday night. Colin Long, Jamie Benn and Kyle St. Denis scored for the Rockets, who remain undefeated on home ice this season at 4-0-0-0. The Rockets out-shot the Raiders 34-15. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Seattle tomorrow night before facing the Chilliwack Bruins on Wednesday. The Rockets next home game is Friday October 24th vs. the Bruins. The Rockets are playing their 8th road game of the season tonight. The team has lost three of its last four games on opposition ice. The two wins this season on the road have been in Kamloops and Kootenay.

Seasonal Series vs. Tips:

Oct 1/08: Kelowna 4 Everett 2 (home) Feb 6/09: (home)
Oct 17/08: Tonight (away) Feb 21/09: (away)

Trade Winds Blow: The Rockets traded 19 year-old goaltender Torrie Jung to the Lethbridge Hurricanes Thursday for a 6th round bantam pick. That pick will be upgraded to a 5th round selection if Jung plays with the Hurricanes as a 20 year-old next season. Jung failed to play a game with the Rockets this season after Kris Lazaruk was acquired from the Kootenay Ice just prior to the start of the regular season.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 4-0-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 20-8. The Rockets are riding a six game home ice winning streak dating back to last season. The Rockets last home ice loss was a 2-0 setback to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have opened the scoring in three of the last five games…After going the first two regular season games without a goal, Jamie Benn has now scored goals in five of his last six games….Colin Long has 3+1=4 in his last two games. Long enters tonight’s game with 145 career points and is playing in his 171st game tonight…Long has points in seven of his first nine games this season…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 10 of the team’s 11 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat…Kris Lazaruk has started 10 of the Rockets 11 games this season…Tyson Barrie leads the WHL in points by defenseman with 11…The Rockets have allowed just 27 shots on goal in their last two games…The Rockets have one of the youngest defensive cores in the WHL. Only Moose Jaw has a younger group that Kelowna. The Rockets do not have a 19 or 20 year-old d-man on their roster…The Rockets have played in just one-one goal game this season. That game was a 2-1 loss in Portland in game #2…Riley McIntosh earned his first point of the season - an assist – in Wednesday’s win. Only two players have yet to register a point this season. Those two are Lukas Matejka and Spencer Main.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Cody Almond has a five game point streak (2+4=6). Almond is playing in his 170th career game tonight. Kyle St. Denis has 3+3=6 in his last four games. Colin Long has been held off the scoreboard by Lethbridge and Vancouver this season. Jamie Benn has 39 goals in just 59 career games. Benn has goals in five of his last six games. Benn has 6 goals over that stretch. Tyson Barrie has points in seven of his first eleven games. Brandon McMillan has gone 8 games without a goal. McMillan’s last goal came Oct 26/08 against Kamloops.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 5-5-1-0 in their first eleven games. The Rockets scored 33 goals in their first eleven games last season. After eleven games a year ago the Rockets had allowed 36 goals against. The Rockets are 2 and 5 on the road this season, having been out-scored 30-20. Last year after seven road games the Rockets were 4 and 3, yet were outscored 24-22.

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:

Oct 18 @ Seattle Rockets 3 Hurricanes 7 L
Oct 22 @ Chilliwack Rockets 6 Kootenay 3 W
Oct 24 vs. Chilliwack Rockets 1 Giants 7 L
Oct 25 vs. Brandon Rockets 8 Cougars 1 W
Oct 29 vs. Seattle Rockets 3 Raiders 1 W

Rockets Players by Province: BC=9 US=5 ALB=5 SASK=1 MAN=1 EURO=2 Total=23

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:

Most Goals Scored: 8 vs. Prince George Oct 11/08 (8-1 W)
Most Goals Allowed: 7 @ Vancouver Oct 10/08 (7-1 L), @ Hurricanes Oct 4/08 (7-3L)
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 – Rockets were 4 for 11
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 4 @ Vancouver Oct 10/08 (7-1L)
Most Shots Taken: 45 vs. Cougars Oct 11/08 (8-1W)
Fewest Shots Taken: 27 vs. Everett Oct 1/08 @ Tri Sept 21/08
Most Shot Allowed: 33 @ Tri Sept 21
Fewest Shots Allowed: 12 vs. Cougars Oct 11/08 (8-1W)
Last Shutout: NA
Last Time Shutout: NA
Penalty Shots: NA
Shootout Game Winning Goals: NA

vs. BC: 2-1-0-0 vs. US: 1-2-0-0
vs. Central: 1-2-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0-0

Roster Stats:
Player total: 23
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 1 Lazaruk
19’s – 6 Long, Benn, Almond, L. Bloodoff, Schenn
18’s – 7 E. Bloodoff, McMillan, McIntosh, Myers, Novotny, St. Denis, Hood
17’s – 9 Barrie, Brown, Verdino, Gogol, Borejko, Bowman, Callahan, Matejka, Paradis
16’s – 1 Main
Average Age: 17.7
Rookies – 7

Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-0-0 0-0-0-0 1-2-0-0
October: 13 4-3-0-0 3-0-0-0 1-3-0-0
November: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
December: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
January: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
February: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
March: 7 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Luke Schenn (Leafs 08), Tyler Myers (Sabres 08), Colin Long (Coyotes 08), Brandon McMillan (Ducks 08), Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Lucas Bloodoff (Tryout Lightning 08).

Game Notes Compiled byAM-1150’s Regan Bartel

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• I feel relief for both the Rockets and Torrie Jung now that the veteran has moved on to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. It was tough to see the 19 year-old sitting at home patiently waiting for a trade, yet I don't blame the Rockets for holding onto the rights of a player who they wanted to get something in return. Jung goes to a very good team in Lethbridge, and he will undoubtedly make the Canes better in goal. What Jung does not receive is the number one goaltending duties that any veteran covets. Jung needs to play games. He can't be playing second fiddle again for a second straight season. It's up to the Naniamo resident to take advantage of every start he gets and to put doubt in the mind of Hurricanes head coach Michael Dyck on who indeed is the better goaltender.
• What do the Lethbridge Hurricanes get in Jung? You won't find a better communicator. Jung is a media delight and should be a good teammate. Maybe a change of scenery will make him a more consistent goaltender? Jung's fondest memory in Kelowna may be making 19 straight appearances to end the season in his 18 year-old year when Kristofer Westblom went down with a season ending knee injury.
• How interesting would it be to have Jung starting November 1st in Kelowna against his former team? Or is their a clause in the trade that prevents him from starting against his old team?
• I spoke to Dylan Hood today. The 18 year-old forward says he could possibly play Saturday night against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Hood is out with a broken nose and says he will have to wear a full face shield for the next 6 weeks. Hood looks sore after getting sucker punched by Prince George defenseman Cody Hobbs. What amazes me the most about the incident is that Hobbs was never suspended.
• The Rockets were quiet on the final day to declare their three-20 year-olds. The Rockets will go with just one - Kris Lazaruk - until possibly making a trade at the deadline when they have a better indication of where their team is headed.
• I'm looking forward to the weekend and seeing two of the premiere players in the WHL's Western Conference. Kyle Beach is on the menu Friday followed by Thomas Hickey on Saturday night. Beach is obviously a first rounder of Chicago this summer while Hickey was a first rounder of LA in 2007. They are both great players on the ice, but equally as solid off it.
• What's with Kyle Beach and the Kelowna Rockets anyway? Beach has played 8 career regular season games against the Rockets and has 7 goals. Beach has 10 points lifetime against the Rockets.
• Who is the captain of the Kelowna Rockets? The team has yet to decide on who will wear the coveted 'C'. It has nothing to do with Luke Schenn though. In talking to Ryan Huska, this weekend will determine on who gets the honor through solid play and leadership. The team wanted to name it's captain earlier this week, but a terrible outing - specifically by the veterans last Friday- had the coaching staff pulling the ballot forms out of the players hands. If the weekend goes well, we should know who the Rockets new captain is by mid week.
• The Rockets better enjoy Saturday's game at the Key-Arena. It will be the final time they play in that facility. The next time they face-off against the T-Birds, it will be late December in Kent Washington. I've taken my camera down to Seattle and will have some pics that I will post here reflecting on what I remember most about the 'Key'.
• I heard that Curtis Hamilton has returned to Kelowna after being injured last night against the Swift Current Broncos. Hamilton suffered a significant knee injury and the Saskatoon Blades forward has been send to Kelowna for an MRI. Funny thing is he can't get an MRI in Saskatoon.
• Is it just me or is Kyle Verdino a player? Man I've liked his play of late. He's decent defensively, strong and likes to take the body. That fact that he has shed so much weight has not taken away from his game one bit. It's made him better.

Jung Now A Cane

The Kelowna Rockets have announced they have officially traded goaltender Torrie Jung to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a sixth round bantam draft pick in 2010.
If Jung succeeds and remains with the Hurricanes throughout this season and next, the deal would alter and the Rockets would receive a fifth round pick in 2010.

St. Denis Creates Movie Magic

Kelowna Rockets forward Kyle St. Denis has created movie magic. The 18 year-old forward is a stunt double in the feature film Slap-Shot 3, which opens in theatres November 25th.
I spoke to St. Denis about his acting debut:

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0771.MP3&nid=809307

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?

Rockets Game Notes vs. Raiders

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets host the Prince Albert Raiders tonight. It’s the lone game between these two teams this season. It’s the Raiders first visit to Kelowna since a 4-1 win January 31/07. Last season the Rockets beat the Raiders on December 14/07 in Prince Albert courtesy of a 3-2 win. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are back on the road with a stop in Everett Friday night before visiting the T-Birds in Seattle on Saturday. The Rockets then visit the Bruins in Chilliwack Wednesday Oct 22nd before hosting the Bruins two night’s later. The Rockets enter tonight’s game undefeated at home, and have won two of their last three games.

Winning Big – Losing Big: In four of their five wins this season, the Rockets have scored no less than five times per game. The only win of the season where they failed to score five or more goals was in a 4-2 victory over Everett October 1st. In three of the team’s five losses this season they have given up 5 goals or more per game.

Home Cook’n: The Rockets are 3-0-0-0 at home this season, having out-scored the opposition 17-7. The Rockets are riding a five game home ice winning streak dating back to last season. The Rockets last home ice loss was a 2-0 setback to the Tri City Americans March 8/08.

Bernie’s Back: Raiders forward Justin Bernhardt will be familiar with Rockets fans. Bernhardt played 53 games in Kelowna, collecting 12 goals and 28 points. Bernhardt was dealt to the Raiders in the 2007-2008 season for a 4th round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. Bernhardt is playing in his 247th career WHL game tonight.

Let’s Make A Deal: They may be miles apart yet the Rockets and Raiders are no strangers to making trades with one another. Sending Justin Bernhardt to the Raiders for a 4th round bantam pick last November came after the two teams exchanged 50 goal scorers when Seth Leonard was dealt to Prince Albert for Jesse Schultz in January 2002. Schultz would score 53 times in 2002-2003 while Leonard scored 50 goals in 2003-2004. The Rockets also acquired Kelly Guard from the Raiders in June 2002.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have opened the scoring in three of the last four games…After going the first two regular season games without a goal, Jamie Benn has now scored goals in four of his last five games….Colin Long scored twice Saturday night against Prince George, giving him 50 for his career. Long has points in six of his first eight games this season. …Jesse Paradis has scored goals in back-to-back games…Rookie Adam Brown made his first WHL start Saturday against Prince George, making 11 saves in an 8-1 win…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 9 of the team’s 10 games this season. The only game where the Rockets were held off the score-sheet with the extra man was in a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat. Jamie Benn scored a goal with the specialty teams, but the goal was shorthanded….Kris Lazaruk has started 9 of the Rockets 10 games this season…Lazaruk leads the WHL in minutes played by a goaltender with 526 minutes. Edmonton’s Dalyn Flette is a close second with 513 minutes.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Kyle St. Denis has 2+3=5 in his last three games. Colin Long has points in six of the eight games he’s played this season. Long has been held off the scoreboard by Lethbridge and Vancouver. Jamie Benn has 38 goals in just 58 career games. Benn has goals in four of his last five games. Benn has 5 goals over that stretch. Tyson Barrie has points in seven of his first ten games.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 5-4-1-0 in their first ten games. The Rockets scored 30 goals in their first ten games last season. After ten games a year ago the Rockets had allowed 32 goals against. The Rockets are 2 and 5 on the road this season, having been out-scored 30-20. Last year after seven road games the Rockets were 4 and 3, yet were outscored 24-22.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• Me thinks the Rockets coaching staff did a good thing by shuffling around the line combinations before Saturday night's game against Prince George. Separating Colin Long and Jamie Benn forces the opposition to worry about two lines, not just one. Yet Long and Benn can still get together and create some magic on the power play.
• In four of the teams five wins this season, the Rockets have scored no less than five goals per game. The only win of the season where they failed to score five or more goals was in a 4-2 victory over Everett October 1st. The ugly side of it is in three of the team’s five losses this season they have given up 5 goals or more.
• The Rockets are 3 and 0 at home while wearing their third jersey this season. The 'reds' are a good luck charm with the hockey club after winning the Memorial Cup with them in 2004. But do they dare wear them on the road to turn their fortunes around?
• Did you know the Rockets have out-scored the opposition 17-7 in those three home games?
• I'm looking forward to seeing Justin Bernhardt Wednesday night. The Prince Albert Raider forward is having a great year, and should be in for a 40 goal season as a 20 year-old. 'Bernie' played just 51 games with the Rockets, yet he never really got on track during his time in Kelowna. But his 22 goals last year was no fluke. Those 22 goals matched his career high when he scored 22 times with Regina as a 17 year-old.
• The Prince George Cougars struggled Saturday night, but the 6 and 2 (prior to that game) start was no fluke. Head coach Drew Schoneck has done a great job with a team that many see as a bottom feeder in the Western Conference. But it doesn't matter what others say as long as the Cougars believe they are anything but. Schoneck deserves as much credit as the players for the solid start. How they react to the lopsided loss on an extended road trip in the Central Division will tell everyone including themselves if they are the real deal.
• Kris Lazaruk is a workhorse. The veteran goaltender has played the most minutes of any netminder in the WHL this season. Could he play in 68 of the Rockets 72 games this season? Kevin Swanson did it in 1999-2000. That season Swanson lost 40 games yet still managed a goals against average of 2.95.
• The Rockets are the most penalized team in the WHL, and that doesn't sit well with head coach Ryan Huska. Huska would like to see his team take 5 or fewer minors per game, but that has been hard to come by this season.
• The Rockets have 17 fighting majors this season. A fighting major has been recorded in 8 of the 10 games they've played this season. The only games where knuckles haven't been necessary were on opening night in a 5-2 loss in Tri City and a 5-4 home ice win over Kamloops.
• If the Rockets actually had a designated tough guy this season those fight totals would be closer to 30.
• Not much was made of it, but Jeff Truitt earned his first pro win as a head coach Saturday night in the Springfield Falcons 4-3 victory over Tysen Dowzak's Hartford Wolf Pack.
• Former Kelowna Rockets captain Tyler Spurgeon remembers some tremendous battles against Vancouver Giants sharp shooter Gilbert Brule. Now Spurgeon and Brule are linemates this season in Springfield.

What I'm Thankful For...

• This is Thanksgiving Day Monday in Canada. For most it's a day away from work and school and a chance for us to reflect on what we are truly thankful for.
• I am thankful to be one of just 22 play-by-play broadcasters in Western Canada privileged enough to follow a team in the Western Hockey League. Often times we can take our position foregranted, but we are blessed to be able to cover a group of athletes that are the best in their age group.
• I am thankful for a Rockets organization that includes a tremendous coaching staff. The radio broadcaster spends far too much time with the team he covers during the winter. We travel, sleep and eat in close proximity to the coaches, so to have friendships with coaches Huska, Finley, Dillabaugh and Cuthbert is valuable. And when a friendship is build, you like them, feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
• I am thankful for Prospera Place. I may bitch and complain about the score-clock, but the facility is a pleasure to call 'home' during the winter. Built in 1999, the building is clean, the Prospera staff do everything in their power to make my life easy, and the atmosphere is always great. I often go to other arena's around the league and say "I am blessed to be calling homes games at Prospera Place".
• The fans. They are a passionate bunch. The reason Prospera Place is such a fun place to hang out is because of the fans. The building is always full. When the referee makes a questionable call the fans let him know it. They boo at the appropriate time and make a ton of noise when the home team scores. The fans make it a whole lot of fun.
• I am thankful for the friendships made through the game of hockey over the years. Many of these friendships made along the way doesn't necessarily mean I'd invite them to my next birthday party, but I've had the privilege of meetings everyone from the gentleman who greets us at the bottom of the KeyArena, to the lady who has a smile for me when I pick up my game notes in Kamloops. In some of these cases, it is just an acquaintance, but it's neat to see us all gathering together because of our passion for the game of hockey.
• Rockets parents. I often get e-mails with words of encouragement from them. I attempt to do the same in return, as these parents are sending their children to a place where they can pursue their dream. It can't be easy for these parents, who give up control and let the Rockets organization mold their son both on the ice and off it. Yet when these players finally graduate from major junior, more times than not they have nothing but positive things to say about the way their son was treated and how the experience was more than positive.
• You. I am thankful that you spend a few moments of your day reading this blog. If no one was reading, this blog would be toast. I appreciate the comments you share here. We may not agree at times, but it sure makes for interesting debate.

8-1 = A Whole Lot Of Fun

• What a difference 24 hours makes. After getting embarrassed 7-1 in Vancouver Friday night, the Rockets responded with a tremendous effort in a 8-1 win Saturday night over the Prince George Cougars. The Rockets dominated all aspects of the game, including limiting the Cougars to just 12 shots on goal. You witnessed few defensive mistakes as the majority of the game was played in the offensive zone.
• Colin Long and Jamie Benn each had two goals in this one. I hate to say it, but as go Long and Benn, so do the Kelowna Rockets. I don't want to put added pressure on these two - 19 year-old forwards, but when they step to the plate the Rockets are usually on the winning end.
• The win didn't come without it's casualties. Forward Dylan Hood suffered a broken nose after Cougars defenseman Cody Hobbs punched him in the peak during a skirmish 7 minutes into the game along the end boards inside the Cougars zone. Hood left the game with blood coming from his nose and never returned.
• Kyle St. Denis suffered a leg injury despite scoring a goal and assisting on two others. St. Denis never came out to accept his award for his second star performance.
• It was encouraging to see Jesse Paradis score the opening goal for the Rockets. The 17 year-old gets little media attention, yet his contribution 2 and a half minutes into the game can not be overlooked. Paradis has two goals this season, one more than a year ago.
• Brandon McMillan had a quiet night, but still managed three assists. It was interesting to see him playing on a line with Jamie Benn and Kyle St. Denis.
• Adam Brown made his first WHL start. The Rockets were so dominant offensively that Brown saw few quality shots, yet it was nice to see him earn the win. Call it a early birthday present, as the rookie goaltender celebrates his 17th birthday today.
• It was nice to run into Rick Carriere. Carriere and I go back to my days as the Swift Current Broncos play-by-play man while Carriere was the head coach of the Red Deer Rebels. Carriere is now scouting with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
• You have to love the play of Dana Tyrell. The Prince George Cougars captain worked his tail off all night long, even when the game was lopsided. Tyrell scored the lone goal for the Cougars on the power play during a 5 on 3.
• The Kelowna Rockets are now the most penalized team in the WHL. The game featured four fights, including Cody Almond, Jamie Benn, Kyle Verdino and Riley McIntosh electing to dance.
• When was the last time the Rockets scored 8 goals in a game? The Rockets scored 8 times in a 8-2 win over Brandon February 14/08 and managed 9 goals in a 9-2 win over Portland January 23/08.
• Prior to the start of last night's game a moment of silence was held for Okanagan Sun football player Janson Towers, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on Friday.

Ouch!

• Rockets assistant coach Jeff Finley may have said it best on our post game show when he answered “were we ever in it". Finley says work ethic and urgency were two things missing in a 7-1 loss Friday night in Vancouver.
• Sure the Giants outworked the Rockets, but on this night were the Giants just that good or were the Rockets just that bad?
• The Giants were 4 for 9 on the power play, and scored a shorthanded goal. It was the third time this season the Rockets have allowed a shorthanded goal against.
• The deceiving stat of the night? The shots on goal. The Giants out-shot the Rockets 27-21, but the quality scoring chances would have been three to one for the home team. How tough of a night was it in the offensive zone? Rockets leading point getter Colin Long didn’t even get a shot on goal.
• The Rockets have allowed 7 goals against in two of their last three games. The Rockets allowed seven goals against in one game - four times - during the 2006-2007 season.
• Looking for a positive? Goaltender Kris Lazaruk was especially good when the Rockets got into early penalty trouble less than 2 minutes into the game. Killing off a Giants 5 on 3 man advantage, Lazaruk allowed his team to be down just 1-0 after 20 minutes.
• It was great to see the matchup against two potential first rounders in this summers NHL draft. Giants forward Evander Kane scored three times in the win, while Rockets defenseman Tyson Barrie attempted to provide a spark on a team that struggled at both ends of the ice. No lack of scouts took in the game, including Marcel Comeau of the Atlanta Thrashers, Rick Knickle of the Nashville Predators, Kent Nilsson of the Edmonton Oilers and Dean Malkoc of the Boston Bruins.
• Rookie Adam Brown made his WHL debut, in a relief appearance of starter Kris Lazaruk. Brown allowed 2 goals on the 4 shots he faced during a 12 minutes span of the third period.
• Tyler Myers has fought in three straight games. Last season Myers fought just five times in 65 games. You are seeing a much meaner Myers this season.
• The Rockets have now lost 3 of their last 4 games.
• Name the only Rocket who is a plus this season? Defenseman Kyle Verdino is a +2.
• Last night's game brought to an end a portion of the Rockets schedule where they played 7 of their first 9 games on the road.
• It was pointed out to me last night that Luke Schenn can return at anytime this season, even after he plays his 10th game with the Leafs and his contract officially kicks in. That is true. But would the Leafs be that crazy to pay Schenn a maximum rookie NHL salary to play another year of junior hockey? Not a chance.

Game Notes vs. Giants

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets conclude a four game road trip tonight with a stop in Vancouver. The Rockets are 1-2-0-0 in the first three games of the trip after a 4-1 loss last Friday in Medicine Hat, a 7-3 loss Saturday in Lethbridge and a 6-3 win in Cranbrook Sunday. Overall the Rockets have been out-scored 14-10 during the three games. Tonight’s game wraps up a schedule where the Rockets have played 7 of their first 9 games on opposition ice. The Rockets host the Prince George Cougars tomorrow night. The Rockets and Giants are meeting for the first of eight times this season. The two teams face each other again on November 12th at Prospera Place. Last season the Rockets were 3-2-0-0 in Vancouver, out-scoring the Giants 17-14 at Pacific Coliseum. After losing the first game in Vancouver last season, the Rockets won three of the remaining four games.

Seasonal Series vs. Giants in 08/09

Home: Away:
Nov 12/08 Jan 21/09 Tonight Nov 14/09
Feb 13/09 Mar 7/09 Dec 29/08 Feb 20/09

Dowzak Done: The Rockets learned Wednesday that twenty year-old defenseman Tysen Dowzak had signed a pro contract with the Hartford WolfPack. The WolfPack are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers. Dowzak was the Rockets 6th round pick in the 2003 WHL bantam draft and played 166 games in Kelowna. While he only managed 24 career points, the defensive defenseman was rewarded with three free-agent tryouts with Minnesota, Philadelphia and the Rangers before signing a pro deal. Dowzak’s departure leaves the Rockets with just one 20 year-old. That overage player is goaltender Kris Lazaruk.

That’s a Fact Jack: The Rockets have opened the scoring in back-to-back games…After going the first two regular season games without a goal, Jamie Benn has now scored goals in three straight games. Two of those three goals have been shorthanded….Colin Long is two goals shy of 50 for his career. Long has 48 career goals heading into tonight’s game….Long has points in five of his first 6 games this season. Long was held off the score sheet Saturday in a 7-3 loss in Lethbridge…The Rockets have scored the most power play goals in the WHL this season (14)…The Rockets have had the third most power play chances in the WHL this season (52). Only Kootenay (64) and Red Deer (53) have had more chances with the extra man….The Rockets have played the most road games in the Western Conference this season (6). Medicine Hat and Red Deer have also played six times on opposition ice.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Colin Long has four goals in his last six games. Jamie Benn has points in all five games he’s played this season. Benn has 3+2=5. Tyson Barrie has points in six of his first eight games.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 4-3-1-0 in their first eight games. The Rockets scored 26 goals in their first eight games. After eight games last season the Rockets had allowed 26 goals against. The Rockets are 2 and 4 on the road this season, having been out-scored 23-19. Last year after six road games the Rockets were 3 and 3, yet were outscored 21-18.

Broadcasters Tidbits: The Rockets have the second youngest defensive core in the WHL (17.33 years) with Moose Jaw leading the way with an average age of 17.25….The Rockets defensive core has played the 3rd fewest games of any of the 22 teams in the WHL. The Rockets have 386 games combined on the blue line, just slightly better than Moose Jaw’s 366 games played and Edmonton’s 281….. Rookie Stepan Novotny had his first multiple point game of his career Saturday night with a goal and an assist….Curt Gogol earned his first career point, an assist on Novotny’s goal in the 3rd period…Kyle Verdino has three points this season, surpassing his point total of two when he played 32 games last season.

Milestones:
Kyle St. Denis played in his 75th game last Saturday against Lethbridge. St. Denis has 49 career points.
Colin Long is playing in his 168th game tonight. Long has 141 career points and 48 career goals.
Evan Bloodoff is playing in his 137th game tonight.
Brandon McMillan is playing in his 134th career game tonight.
Tyson Barrie has 53 career points and is playing in his 80th career game tonight.

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:

Oct 11 vs. Cougars Rockets 5 Blazers 4 W
Oct 15 vs. Raiders Rockets 4 Tips 2 W
Oct 17 @ Everett Rockets 1 Tigers 4 L
Oct 18 @ Seattle Rockets 3 Hurricanes 7 L
Oct 22 @ Chilliwack Rockets 6 Kootenay 3 W

Rockets Players by Province: BC=9 US=5 ALB=5 SASK=1 MAN=1 EURO=2 Total=23

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:

Most Goals Scored: 6 @ Cranbrook Oct Oct 5/08 (6-3 W) Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Goals Allowed: 7 @ Hurricanes Oct 4/08 (7-3L)
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 – Rockets were 4 for 11
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 3 @ Hurricanes Oct 4/08 (7-3L)
Most Shots Taken: 40 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Fewest Shots Taken: 27 vs. Everett Oct 1/08 @ Tri Sept 21/08
Most Shot Allowed: 33 @ Tri Sept 21
Fewest Shots Allowed: 17 @ Portland Sept 22/08
Last Shutout: NA
Last Time Shutout: NA
Penalty Shots: NA
Shootout Game Winning Goals: NA

vs. BC: 1-0-0-0 vs. US: 1-2-0-0
vs. Central: 1-2-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0-0

Roster Stats:
Player total: 23
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 1 Lazaruk
19’s – 6 Long, Benn, Almond, L. Bloodoff, Schenn
18’s – 7 E. Bloodoff, McMillan, McIntosh, Myers, Novotny, St. Denis, Hood
17’s – 9 Barrie, Brown, Verdino, Gogol, Borejko, Bowman, Callahan, Matejka, Paradis
16’s – 1 Main
Average Age: 17.7
Rookies – 7

Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-0-0 0-0-0-0 1-2-0-0
October: 13 2-2-0-0 1-0-0-0 1-2-0-0
November: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
December: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
January: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
February: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
March: 7 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Luke Schenn (Leafs 08), Tyler Myers (Sabres 08), Colin Long (Coyotes 08), Brandon McMillan (Ducks 08), Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Lucas Bloodoff (Tryout Lightning 08).

Game Notes Compiled by
AM-1150’s Regan Bartel

Transcript Interview With Dozer

Here is my interview transcript with Tysen Dowzak this morning from his hotel room in Hartford.

"I had it in my mind that I wanted to sign an NHL contract and if they (Rangers) weren't ready to offer me that, if they were just going to offer me an American Hockey League deal or East Coast League deal, I would have come back to Kelowna. When New York stepped up and offered me the entry level deal I thought this was a good opportunity and I should probably take this and jump on it."

Did you consider the volatile position that any 20 year-old faces in the WHL? A team is only allowed three overage players and it's the older players that are often moved through a trade. Did that ever enter your mind when you considered the possibility of signing rather than coming back to the Rockets?

"In Kelowna I wasn't too worried about that considering we...at the time I Ieft for training camp we had only one 20 year-old, and that was myself. So I wasn't worried about getting traded and Bruce (Hamilton) and the Kelowna Rockets organization were nothing but good to me the last three years, so I wasn't concerned about getting dealt anywhere."

It's common now to see American born players coming to the WHL, but even in 2005 when you came to Kelowna it was still quite rare. Do you ever have any second thoughts about your decision?

"My first season to be honest with you I really had some doubts, especially when I got that big knee injury and I was out and thing just weren't going my way. But the more I stuck with it the more comfortable I got, so I am definitely happy I went to Kelowna and it was nothing but good for me, so I am pleased with my decision to go out there."

Over your 3 seasons with the Rockets, share some highlites for me?

"Scoring my first goal in Kootenay was pretty big. Even though it was an ugly goal it was still my first goal so it was pretty exciting. When we beat Everett in my first year in double overtime."

How about the teammates you leave behind?

"Oh absolutely. These are guys I am going to be friends with for the rest of my life. I mean guys like Schenner (Luke Schenn), Longer (Colin Long) and Bennie (Jamie Benn) are a terrific group of guys and I wouldn't trade them in for anybody."

Any final words to the fans in Kelowna?

"I just really appreciate their support over the last three years. I am really thankful they gave me an opportunity and I am just really happy they backed me for the last three years."

The Dirt On Dowzak

What's the saying? You don't know what you have until it's gone?
That may best describe the playing career of Tysen Dowzak in a Kelowna Rockets uniform. When the Rockets drafted Dowzak with the 6th pick in the 2003 WHL bantam draft, the big concern was if the Fergus Falls Minnesota resident would play U.S college hockey or jump to major junior. After playing high school hockey at Shattuck St. Mary's, Dowzak surprised many by playing hockey North of the border. For an America born player to chose the WHL over college was unheard of back then.
When he first skated for the Rockets as a 17 year-old in 2005, media hockey types had him pegged as a potential 1st rounder in the 2006 NHL draft. Instead the 6'5 220 pound defenseman was hampered by injury in his rookie season playing in just 43 games. The end result was scouts overlooked him and his name was never called. Fortunately he attended the Minnesota Wild training camp, but was quickly returned to the Rockets as an 18 year-old. A season later was much like his rookie year. Again he was hampered by injury, playing in just 55 games. His offensive totals were modest at best (3+4=7) and his unwillingness to get engaged physically (68 penalty minutes that year) had NHL scouts scratching him off their list as a late bloomer. But in his 19 year-old season Dowzak was arguable the teams best defenseman until Christmas. After the Christmas break he flat lined and returned to the form that had fans and scouts scratching their heads about a big bodied defenseman who failed to play physical.
But thanks to a free-agent tryout with the New York Rangers this fall, Dowzak did something to impress. I wasn't there to see it, but he likely went out of his comfort zone to play physical - not once in a while - but consistently. He even fought former Rockets teammate Brady Leavold in a exhibition game in Traverse City. Whatever Tysen Dowzak did, the New York Rangers liked what they saw, offering him a contract.
But let's be honest here.
Did you anticipate Tysen Dowzak spending his entire 20 year-old season in Kelowna? Prior to the start of this season you would have said no, but after seeing the first 8 games your tune likely changed. Dowzak would have been a valuable - yes I said a valuable - addition to the Rockets young defensive core. He was anything but flashy, but his 'off the glass and out' mentality kept his team out of trouble and he would have clearly been one of the Rockets top four defenseman along with Tyson Barrie, Tyler Myers and Collin Bowman.
Tysen Dowzak may have never 'wowed' you with his play in his 166 games in a Rockets uniform, but it's only now that he's gone on to play pro hockey that you realize how valuable the overage defenseman really was to this team.

Dowzak Done!

It's official.
Tysen Dowzak will not return for his overage season with the Kelowna Rockets. Dowzak has earned a contact with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. The Fergus Falls Minnesota resident played three seasons with the Rockets from 2005 to 2007. In total Dowzak played 166 WHL games, collecting four goals and 20 assists for 24 points. The Rockets now have just one 20 year-old on their roster in goaltender Kris Lazaruk.

Damien Cox On Schenn

I missed this article from the Toronto Star on the weekend, but if Kelowna Rockets fans were not a fan of sports writer Damien Cox, he has won more than a few over with articles like this.

For the Maple Leafs, history is something to be packaged and sold, never something to learn by.
They like to talk about the team's status as a famous, ancient franchise, but not about the 41 years without a Stanley Cup. They forgot why, after four Stanley Cups in the 1960s, they got rid of Punch Imlach, and were then stunned when Imlach didn't do a great job when he was hired again.
We've run into this dichotomy again at Leaf camp this year with the Luke Schenn debate, and we in the media are as much at fault as anyone else. Schenn is fresh and new, and thus a good story, and any mistakes he has been making have thus been papered over to serve the story.
The very same people that continually slam the Leafs for failing to draft and develop effectively are now suggesting the right move is to keep this teenage defenceman with the big club this season.
It's as though Jim Benning, Fred Boimistruck, Bob McGill, Gary Nylund, Luke Richardson, Al Iafrate, Drake Berehowsky and Jeff Ware, among others, never happened.
The Leafs only have one blue-chip prospect, and that's Schenn. Why would you risk anything with this young man? There's no risk sending him back to junior and having him lead the national junior team, and all kinds of risks inherent in keeping him in the NHL.
Why risk anything for a team that's not going to be very good at all this season? Marc Staal played four full years of junior and look how good he was in his first season last year with the Rangers. Look at the impact Dion Phaneuf made after four years of junior.
Then remember Rostislav Klesla, the fourth pick in 2000, rushed to the NHL by Columbus at age 18 after only one junior season in Brampton.
Ever hear people talk about Klesla as an impact defenceman anymore? And he was just as highly-touted as Schenn.
But Schenn is a lot more interesting than, say, Mike Van Ryn or Jonas Frogren. Moreover, the Leafs are going to say only positive things publicly about Schenn, so that gets turned into a story about how the kid is wonderfully ready.
Folks - reality check time. It doesn't matter how good Schenn is now. It matters only how good he is by age 24 or 25 when the team, possibly, is back to contender status.
It just shouldn't matter whether he's capable of playing in the NHL right now. The young man could be a treasure, and that needs to be handled with care.
To be fair, neither Ron Wilson nor Cliff Fletcher has committed either way on Schenn, so perhaps there's still time for common sense to prevail.
Having seen this exact same episode played over and over with the Leafs, however, it seems common sense always ends up losing.
It's always going to be different this time with this kid. This kid's more mature. This kid can handle playing against men.
We've heard the same thing so many, many times.
Leaf fans should rejoice in the fact that the team, it would appear, has drafted a bona fide stud to build the blueline around. If it all pans out, he'll be a fixture for a decade or more.
Which means letting him to continue to develop in junior hockey for one more year is the right thing to do.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• With the window slowly closing on Luke Schenn's return to Kelowna, might Rockets GM Bruce Hamiton be knocking on the door of Seattle GM Russ Farwell? Farwell has the rights to a pretty dynamic defenseman in Thomas Hickey. Hickey was returned from the LA Kings. With the T-Birds struggling, Hickey may become available. I anticipate the smooth skating rearguard would come at a high price though. With Greg Scott's return, maybe Farwell believes his club isn't as bad off as many people think? I came to appreciate Hickey last season both on and off the ice as the Rockets battled the T-Birds in round one.
• Hamilton and Farwell are no strangers to making trades. Paul Hurd and Clayton Barthel come to mind as players acquired from Seattle over the years.
• How concerned should we be about the sluggish attendance so far at Kootenay Ice home games? Ice general manager Jeff Chynoweth is. He wants to see a minimum 28 hundred fans attending home games. Right now he is getting about 25 to 26 hundred per game. When I asked Jeff about the attendance so far this season, he had this response. www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0734.MP3&nid=804184
• I thought coach Ryan Huska brought up a good point Sunday when I asked him to explain who was hardest hit by Luke Schenn's absence. I suggested 17 year-old Tyson Barrie, who Huska says has been affected, but not in an adverse way. Sure Barrie misses his defensive partner but Huska likes the way Barrie has adapted to the change. No longer playing high risk hockey, Barrie is picking his spots better when rushing the puck and still picks up points with key time on the power play. Becoming a more complete player is what will attract NHL scouts, and oddly enough the loss of Schenn is forcing Barrie to become that type of player.
• I won't mention names, but I heard some hockey fans giving Daily Courier sports writer Doyle Potenteau a rough time after an article he wrote last week about Kelowna resident Kyle Beach. Potenteau mentioned in the article that he would be a nice fit with the Rockets. The article is just an opinion or a suggestion of something that may or may not happen. It's not factual persay, but it provides debate. Bottom line, it's a good read.
• What does Tips head coach John Becanic think of trading Beach? I asked him that question when they visited Kelowna last week, a few days prior to the Tips learning the feisty forward would be returned from the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks: www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0735.MP3&nid=804186
• Many readers of this blog are freaked out at the Rockets slow start. But let me remind you that the Lethbridge Hurricanes were 4 and 7 in their first 11 games last season. Oh ya, they ended up being Eastern Conference Champions.

Schenn Signs

Luke Schenn has his first NHL contract in his back pocket. Schenn signed this morning with the Toronto Maple Leafs, only one day after the team announced he would be starting the season in the NHL. No details were released, but as a guide, first round pick Zach Boychuk of the Carolina Hurricanes received a three year deal worth 787,500. Boychuk also received a signing bonus of 262,500.

Rockets Roady Video and Picture

The Rockets coming onto the ice in Medicine Hat.

Rockets forward Kyle St. Denis does everything in high speed, even when it's just practice.

Rockets leading scorer Colin Long is shown here in practice. Long is a good candidate to be named captain this season.

I had to take a picture of Rockets assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert talking with this hockey fan as we got off the bus outside of the Cranbrook Rec-Plex Sunday afternoon. The man was wearing a Buffalo Sabres jersey and had a sign in his hand listing off the names of three people he wanted to sign his playing cards. One of those names was Ryan Cuthbert, who signed the card for the hardcore hockey fan. Cuthbert may be five years removed from junior hockey, but fans still remember him as a key ingredient in helping the Rockets win their first WHL title in 2003.

Schenn And The Number 10

• If you are surprised today to hear that Luke Schenn will start the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where have you been? Schenn did everything and more after an excellent training camp, and sensational play in the exhibition season.
• Rockets fans need to worry about one thing...the number ten. If Luke Schenn plays his 10th regular season game with the Leafs this season, he is unable to come back to Kelowna. The Leafs can play Schenn in a maximum of 9 regular season games before deciding on one of two options. A) Keep him in the NHL for the entire season or B) Send him back to junior for more seasoning. Remember If Schenn plays his 10th game in the NHL, he can't come back to the Rockets. And no, he can not be sent down to the minors.


• With him starting the season in the NHL, it does not close the door for Schenn returning to the WHL. Is it a step forward in the process of becoming a full time player in the NHL? Absolutely. But several players have signed NHL contracts and have returned to junior. Rockets forward Jamie Benn is a signed player. Josh Gorges signed a deal with San Jose and returned to junior. Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Zach Boychuk signed a contract Saturday with Carolina, yet the 1st round pick from this summers draft is expected to be back in the 'Bridge City' this season.
• My gut feeling from the very beginning is Schenn would start the season in the NHL. But I still believe the Leafs will send him back to Kelowna once he plays a few regular season games. It's not because he's not good enough, it's just the Leafs don't want to rush a valuable asset. Leafs head coach Ron Wilson wants to ice the best team this season so Schenn is part of that equation, yet GM Cliff Fletcher is looking at the long term future of the franchise which tells me Schenn has little to gain on a team that will struggle.
• Any player in the NHL will tell you the intensity level takes even a further jump when the games count in the standings starting Thursday night. It's Schenn's aim to adapt to the quicker pace, showing the Leafs that he is ready to make the jump and the exhibition was no fluke.


• I have to congratulate Luke Schenn for making the Leafs opening day roster. I consider Schenn a friend and a delight to be around. Did I think he'd make the jump that quickly? No. But Schenn has shown over the years that he is as good as those around him. He answers the bell to ever challenge set before him, and for that he must be commended. Would I like to see him back with the Rockets this season? Darn rights. I will admit it would be easier to see him go if his junior team was in a rebuilding year, but the Rockets have some horses in their lineup, and Luke Schenn would be a nice addition to the stable.


• I equate Schenn's promotion to a law student who has gone through years and years of studies. After time spent in the classroom, that student has finally graduated. For Schenn the years of schooling have been on the ice. Now he's graduated, and in this case with high honours. Schenn likely considered a career in hockey when he was playing bantam in Saskatoon. Since then he has dedicated his young life to the game in an attempt to 'graduating' to the NHL. Now he has accomplished his goal. The neat thing is we in Kelowna have witnesses the maturation process.

Dowzak Still In AHL

The Hartford Wolf Pack re-assigned 19 players today, and Tysen Dowzak wasn't one of them. Dowzak remains one of 9 defenseman on the Wolf Packs roster.

Schenn Article from Toronto Star

This is an article written by Damien Cox from the Toronto Star.

You can sure see why they're excited about the kid.
Pretty darn impressive for an 18-year-old.
Yes, Nikita Filatov will probably make waves in the NHL some day, if not this year.
Sorry to take a break from the Luke Schenn Watch for a moment. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Schenn was, it appears, the only significant and positive story to emerge from this too-many-games, not-enough-practises Maple Leaf camp, which ended with three games in three nights and two victories in nine exhibition outings.
No other NHL team came close to giving up as many goals as the mighty Maples this fall, and not once did the club surrender fewer than three goals. That, combined with an attack that will struggle to top the 200-goal plateau this season, certainly makes opening against Detroit and Montreal this week a bit of a daunting prospect.
"Believe it or not, we're much better defensively than we were," said new coach Ron Wilson when asked for a non-Schenn positive development out of camp after Filatov scored a goal and the shootout winner for Columbus in a pre-season 5-4 triumph over the Leafs last night.
Schenn and Filatov, naturally, will be forever linked as their careers unfold. The Leafs, after trading up from the No.7 slot at last June's NHL entry draft, could have grabbed the slick Russian forward, but instead went for the hard rock, stay-at-home Canadian blueliner. Over time, we'll see if the Leafs were bang-on in their assessment, or missed a special player.
Right now, both look to be promising NHL prospects. Columbus probably won't keep Filatov in the bigs this season, while the Leafs may yet make the wrong decision one more time and force-feed Schenn to the NHL sharks.
"It will be not what's best for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but what's best for Luke Schenn," said Wilson last night.
Surely that means a return to Kelowna. But we'll see.

Now That's More Like It!

• For the second straight night the Rockets again opened up the scoring, but for the first time this year the opening goal paved the way to a win. Cody Almond scored just 32 seconds into the period and the road team was off to the races.
• Despite being out-shot badly in the second period (19-6), the Rockets again were led by an elite player to escape the period with a 5-2 lead. Tyson Barrie’s pass to Jamie Benn sent the 19 year-old forward in on a clear cut shorthanded breakaway, an opportunity Benn wouldn’t miss. Oddly enough Benn had another breakaway chance in the period, but this time Ice goaltender Nathan Liewen made the save.
• Cody Almond often times needs to pass the puck more and use his line-mates, but you can’t deny his great release. Both goals he scored Sunday were laser beams that the goaltenders just couldn’t handle.
• I felt good for Dylan Hood. After being a healthy scratch Saturday in Lethbridge, Hood responded with a goal and some good energy in the game. The goal was Hood's first in 23 regular season games.
• Kris Lazaruk was all smiles after this one. The personable goaltender was on the winning end of a game against his old team. He holds no grudges against the Ice for dealing him away, yet it was oh so sweet to beat his former team.
• The score-sheet will show Stepan Novotny scored the Rockets third goal, but the power play goal was indeed scored by Jamie Benn. That would give Benn two goals in the game, and four goals in his last three games.
• Two 16 year-olds scrapped it out in the first period as Mitchell Callahan danced with Ice forward Drew Czerwonka. I'd give the edge to Callahan, but both should be applauded for their aggressive play. Callahan likes to be apart of the action, and Czerwonka appears to be made from the same mold. Czerwonka was even seen verbal jousting with Rockets forward Jamie Benn between the benches. Czerwonka left a good impression on me. Unfortunately we will only see him once this season. He's going to be a good one with that type of confident swagger.
• It was great to see the Kootenay Ice fans applauding Rockets goaltender Kris Lazaruk when he was introduced in the starting lineup before the national anthem. Lazaruk played three seasons with the Ice including 108 regular season games.
• These guys continue to amaze me. Playing four games in five night could have been the setup for a night filled with physical and mental errors. It wasn't without it's miscues, but the Rockets showed some character playing their third game in three nights.
• Tyler Myers had a great weekend. He took a lot of penalties, but we see a more agressive - angrier Myers than a year ago. Often times Myers gets called for penalities because he is so big. When you are 6'7 and you hit a 5'10 forward into the boards, often times Myers is hitting the opponent in the head. But do you penalize a guy for being that tall?
• The Kootenay Ice fans were on their ‘A’ game Sunday night. When the anthem singer had a problem with her mic, the hometown faithful didn’t leave her hanging. They quickly joined in unison and sang the national anthem until her mic became operational on the last verse of Oh Canada.
• I had a great chat with Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth before the game. We chatted about his father, the late Ed Chynoweth being inducted next month into the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame. I did an interview with Jeff asking him about Ed Chynoweth – the dad, not the hockey man – that brought so much to the Western Hockey League. Jeff Chynoweth spoke from the heart making for what I thought was a great interview.

Was It Really A 7-3 Loss?

• Even when I take my rose coloured Kelowna Rockets glasses off, I still don’t see Saturday night’s loss as a 7-3 game. When you hold the opposition without a shot for the first 7 and a half minutes and pepper the goaltender with 36 shots, you had to have been doing something right?
• I thought it was the Rockets best opening period of the season. They were physical, limited quality chances on net (until the Hurricanes were granted power play time) and scored the opening goal. The Hurricanes had no business going to the dressing room tied at two after a solid opening 20 minutes by the visitors.
• Brandon McMillan and Colin Long both came within inches of scoring. McMillan’s backhand attempt went off the bar when the two teams were scoreless in the first period, and Long’s second period wrister also went off the bar after beating Lethbridge goaltender Juha Metsola. If those two get by him, are we looking at the Rockets going away in a romp?
• When was the last time the Rockets gave up seven goals on the road? It was March 3 of 2006 in a 7-4 loss in Prince George.
• The Rockets young defensive core was hit by a harsh blow when Tyler Myers got involved in a fight just 8 minutes into the game. Not only did he serve the five minutes, but also received two minutes for instigating and a 10 minute misconduct. When he is sitting in the box for that length of time it creates a huge hole and puts tremendous pressure on the other five d-men.
• Stepan Novotny had his first-two point game of his career. Novotny had a goal and an assist. The 17 year-old used some good speed to the outside before snapping a shot blocker side to beat Juha Metsola.
• I don’t often get to see Metsola play, but he’s the real deal. The 19 year-old Finn made some big saves in the game including a nice glove hand grab off of rookie defenseman Aaron Borejko in the 2nd period.
• Dylan Hood and Riley McIntosh were health scratches in this one. The coaching staff want more from these two 18 year-olds. I anticipate both will react favorably when they are injecting back into the lineup. Sometime a good kick in the pants is just what the doctor ordered.
• The Rockets dressed six defenseman in Saturday’s game. Five of those six defenseman are 17. Those seventeen year-olds are Kyle Verdino, Tyson Barrie, Aaron Borejko, Collin Bowman and Curt Gogol. The only d-man older is Tyler Myers, and he’s just 18. You will struggle in this league with that young of a group. Rest assured, if the Rockets don’t get Luke Schenn or Tyson Dowzak back, GM Bruce Hamilton will be out looking for maturity to fill out the back end.
• Not one - the exception being the Kelowna Rockets - have five-17 year-old defenseman on their roster. Several teams have a maximum of three.

Game Notes vs. Hurricanes

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets play game two of four straight on the road with a stop in Lethbridge. It’s the first of just two meetings between the two teams this season. The Hurricanes make a return visit on November 1st. In two meetings last season the Rockets were out-scored 12-6. The Hurricanes were a 3-2 shootout winner December 7th in Lethbridge before beating the Rocket 9-4 February 1st in Kelowna. The Rockets are riding a 6 game winless streak in Lethbridge dating back to the 2003-2004 season. The last time the Rockets earned two points at the Enmax Centre was February 9, 2003 in a 4-3 win. On that night Rockets assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert had a goal in the win. Last night the Rockets three game winning streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat. Jamie Benn scored the lone goal for the visitors, his first of the season. The goal came shorthanded. The Rockets were out-shot 30-28 and were 0/5 on the power play. It was the first time in six games that the Rockets have failed to score a power play goal. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Cranbrook to face the Ice on Sunday before meeting the Giants in Vancouver Friday night.

Scoring First Ain’t Easy: The Rockets have failed to open the scoring in five of the six games this season. The exception was Evan Bloodoff’s power play goal in game two of the season against the Portland Winter Hawks. The Rockets have been out-scored 9-3 in the first period this season.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Colin Bowman has points in four of his last six games. Bowman has 1+5=6. Colin Long has points in all four games he’s played this season. Long has four goals in his last three games. Long has registered 3 or more points in a game ten times in his career. Jamie Benn has points in the three games he’s played this season. Benn has 1+3=4. Tyson Barrie has points in four of his first six games. Dylan Hood has gone 22 games without a goal dating back to last season. Hood’s last goal was February 1st of last season against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Walking Wounded: Rockets defenseman Kyle Verdino has missed the last two games with a knee injury. First year forward Mitchell Callahan sat out last night’s game in Medicine Hat after getting his bell rung Wednesday against the Everett Silvertips.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 2-3-1-0 in their first six games. The Rockets scored 17 goals in their first six games, two fewer than this season. After six games last season the Rockets had allowed 24 goals against. That is 5 more than this season. The Rockets longest winning streak last season was 7 games.

Milestones:
Kyle St. Denis has 47 career points.
Colin Long is playing in his 165th game tonight. Long has 140 career points and 46 career goals.
Evan Bloodoff is playing in his 135th game tonight.
Brandon McMillan is playing in his 132nd career game tonight.
Tyson Barrie has 52 career points and is playing in his 78th career game tonight.
Jesse Paradis played in his 50th career game last night.

Losing Board Battles A Back Breaker

• Losing board battles was a back breaker for the Kelowna Rockets Friday night. Three of the four goals the Medicine Hat Tigers scored in Friday’s 4-1 win were the direct result of the Rockets failing to: a) clear the puck along the boards or b) lose a battle in the corners resulting in a mad scramble in front of Kris Lazaruk. Against good teams, weak clearing attempts result in quality chances for the opposition. Let’s just say the Rockets were in a giving mood Friday night.
• Despite being down 2-0 just 9 minutes into the game, give Jamie Benn some credit for getting his team on the board with a shorthanded goal to draw the visitors to within a goal. When you’ve dug yourself into a deep hole on the road, you look to your elite players to find a ladder to help you crawl out.
• The Bloodoff boys were in foul moods Friday night, and I loved it. Lucas Bloodoff was sour after he was pasted into the boards by Thomas Carr. Lucas quickly got up off the ice and made a bee-line towards Carr and engaged him in a fight. Soon after Evan Bloodoff threw a big hit on Tigers defenseman Cody Carlson almost in the same area where Lucas was hit. This time Wacey Hamilton didn’t like the move, and decided to dance with the 17 year-old forward.
• I may be going out on a limb here, but I thought Friday’s game against the Tigers was defenseman Tyler Myers best game ever in a Rockets uniform. No points were required for me to notice him like a fox at a hen party. The big man played like….a big man. Myers threw the body effectively, made smart decisions with the puck and made life miserable for fellow Sabres prospect Tyler Ennis. If Tyler Myers was suffering from a NHL training camp hangover when he returned to junior, he got rid of it in a hurry because he’s shown no signs of lackluster play.
• I had a chance to speak to likable Tigers forward Tyler Ennis before the game. It’s interesting that the Sabres selected both Myers and Ennis in the first round of this summers NHL draft. I asked Ennis if he and Myers had taken a photo together at the draft proudly wearing there Sabres jersey’s. It which Ennis replied no they hadn’t, but if they did “they probably couldn’t fit both of our fat heads into the picture”. I think what would be even funnier is the 6’7 Myers towering over the 5’9 Ennis. Ennis was held off the score-sheet on this night, but he’s too dynamic of a player not to put up some big numbers this season.
• Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins won’t toot his own horn, so I’ll do it for him. Desjardins has turned the Tigers into a force after being recognized as a farce in the late 90’s. You have remember that from 1997 until 2002 the Tigers missed the playoffs five straight seasons. If that happened in Kelowna the fans there would be calling for heads to roll and their would be rioting in the streets. Yet with the hiring of Desjardins, they have enjoyed 40+ win seasons in five of their last 6 years under the quiet head coach.
• It was great to chat with Tigers owner Darrell Maser during the Rockets morning skate. Maser wanted to come out and take a look at the Rockets new bus and it gave me a chance to thank him face-to-face for his generosity during my Mom’s passing. I got to know Darrell Maser when his son Josh played with the Swift Current Broncos.
• The new WHL Guides are out. I was handed one by the Tigers Dave Andjelic. You should be able to pick up your copy Saturday when the Rockets host Prince George.
• One thing was missing before Friday night's game. I went without a conversation with Doug Mosher. Mosher passed away this summer after battling cancer, but even during his struggles with the disease he'd be at the rink either giving me a hard time about the tie I was wearing or my pointy dress shoes. The cool thing is, his absence didn't go unnoticed. He's a man that leaves me with a smile on my face when I think of him.

Rockets Audio From The 'Hat'

Rockets head coach Ryan Huska on tonight's matchup against the Tigers:

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0717.MP3&nid=802030

A conversation I had with Rockets defenseman Collin Bowman this morning:

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0715.MP3&nid=802037

Note: In listening to both interviews, be patient and let it load.

Rockets Game Notes vs. Tigers

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets open a four game road trip tonight with a stop in Medicine Hat against the Tigers. It’s the first of three meetings between these two teams this season. After tonight the Rockets host the Tigers January 30th before the Rockets return the favor February 25th. Last season Kelowna was 1-0-0-1 against Medicine Hat. The Rockets were a 4-3 overtime winner at home and fell 4-3 in a shootout in the ‘Hat’. The Rockets have gone six games without earning two points in Medicine Hat. The last Rockets win at the Arena was in an 8-2 victory February 12, 2003. Overall the Rockets have won three straight after a 4-2 home ice win over Everett Wednesday night. Colin Long scored twice and added an assist while Tyler Myers and Lucas Bloodoff – into an empty net – also scored for the 3-2-0-0 Rockets. After tonight’s game the Rockets are in Lethbridge tomorrow night, in Cranbrook Sunday before making a stop in Vancouver next Friday. The Rockets next home game is next Saturday against the Prince George Cougars.

Breaking It Down: Of the eighteen goals the Rockets have scored this season, 11 have come on the power play (61%). Nine of the Rockets last 15 goals have come with the extra man. The Rockets have the best power play in the WHL (30.6%) and have scored the most power play goals in the league with 11.

5 On 3 Feeling: The Rockets have had the luxury of going on a five-on-three in four of their first five games. The Rockets have had 5 chances with the two man advantage and have scored 3 goals.

Dare to Compare: Last season the Rockets were 1-3-1-0 in their first five games. The Rockets scored 13 goals in their first five games, 5 fewer than this season. After five games last season the Rockets had allowed 21 goals against. That is 6 more than this season. The Rockets longest winning streak last season was 7 games.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Colin Bowman has points in four of his last five games. Bowman has 1+5=6. Colin Long has points in all three games he’s played this season. Long has four goals in his last two games. Long has registered 3 or more points in a game ten times in his career. Jamie Benn has points in the two games he’s played this season. Benn has 0+3=3. Tyson Barrie has points in four of his first five games. Dylan Hood has gone 21 games without a goal dating back to last season. Hood’s last goal was February 1st of last season against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Milestones:
Colin Long is playing in his 164th game tonight. Long has 139 career points and 46 career goals.
Evan Bloodoff is playing in his 134th game tonight.
Brandon McMillan is playing in his 131st career game tonight.
Tyson Barrie has 52 career points and is playing in his 77th career game tonight.
Jesse Paradis is playing in his 50th career game tonight.

Who’s Back: The Rockets return 17 veterans from last years team. Leading that list is last years leading scorer Colin Long. Long led the team in points (101) and assists (64). Second year forward Jamie Benn is also back. Benn led the Rockets in goals scored last season with 33 in just 51 games. Both Long and Benn combined for 64 goals last season. The Rockets return 6 of their top 7 scorers from a year ago.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Six players from last year’s team are no longer around. Brady Leavold, James McEwan and Kristofer Westblom have graduated. Leavold and McEwan are playing pro hockey while Westblom is playing Canadian college hockey this year. Colin Joe and Milan Kytnar were traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the off-season while Myles MacRae elected to leave the team and play his twenty-year old season in the BCHL.

Nine is Devine: Nine members of the Rockets attended NHL training camps this year. Luke Schenn was in Toronto, Tyler Myers in Buffalo and Brandon McMillan with Anaheim. Colin Long attended Phoenix Coyotes camp, while goaltender Torrie Jung was in Tampa Bay. Cody Almond was with Minnesota while Tysen Dowzak received a tryout with the New York Rangers. Lucas Bloodoff also received a tryout with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jamie Benn is the only signed player, and attended the camp of the Dallas Stars. The nine players attending pro camps was a team record.
Rockets Review: Last season the Rockets won 38 games and finished with 84 points. Those 84 points were good for 5th place in the Western Conference and a date with the Seattle Thunderbirds in round one. The Rockets would lose out to the T-Birds in seven games. The Rockets had 21 home ice and 17 road wins last season.

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:

Oct 4 @ Lethbridge Rockets 2 Tri City 5 L
Oct 5 @ Kootenay Rockets 1 Portland 2 L
Oct 10 @ Vancouver Rockets 6 Blazers 2 W
Oct 11 vs. Cougars Rockets 5 Blazers 4 W
Oct 15 vs. Raiders Rockets 4 Tips 2 W

Rockets Players by Province: BC=9 US=6 ALB=5 SASK=1 MAN=1 EURO=2 Total=24

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:

Most Goals Scored: 6 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Goals Allowed: 5 @ Tri Sept 21
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 – Rockets were 4 for 11
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 1 @ Tri Sept 21
Most Shots Taken: 40 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Fewest Shots Taken: 27 vs. Everett Oct 1/08 @ Tri Sept 21/08
Most Shot Allowed: 33 @ Tri Sept 21
Fewest Shots Allowed: 17 @ Portland Sept 22/08
Last Shutout: NA
Last Time Shutout: NA
Penalty Shots: NA
Shootout Game Winning Goals: NA

vs. BC: 1-0-0-0 vs. US: 1-2-0-0
vs. Central: 0-0-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0-0

Roster Stats:
Player total: 24
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 2 Dowzak, Lazaruk
19’s – 6 Long, Benn, Almond, L. Bloodoff, Schenn
18’s – 7 E. Bloodoff, McMillan, McIntosh, Myers, Novotny, St. Denis, Hood
17’s – 9 Barrie, Brown, Verdino, Gogol, Borejko, Bowman, Callahan, Matejka, Paradis
16’s – 1 Main
Average Age: 17.2
Rookies – 7

Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-0-0 0-0-0-0 1-2-0-0
October: 13 1-0-0-0 1-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
November: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
December: 10 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
January: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
February: 14 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
March: 7 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Luke Schenn (Leafs 08), Tyler Myers (Sabres 08), Colin Long (Coyotes 08), Brandon McMillan (Ducks 08), Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Torrie Jung (Tampa Bay 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Lucas Bloodoff (Tryout Lightning 08), Tysen Dowzak (Tryout Rangers 08).

Rockets On The Road

Here is the Rockets new bus in the beautiful Alberta sunshine. Notice the white bubble on the top of the bus? That's the rotating satellite dish. As per the Rockets request, I did not take any pictures inside the bus. I understand those will be posted on their website, so check there for an inside peek.
The Tigers have had an abundance of success over the last few years. One look at the rafters tells the story of just how good this franchise has been.

Cody Almond (left), Tyler Myers (centre) and Mitchell Callahan look on at Thursday's Rockets workout at the Arena in Medicine Hat. Assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert has the attention of the team as he runs practice.

It's Not How You Start, But How You Finish

• How valuable is Colin Long to the Kelowna Rockets? Wednesday night he again proved his worth with two key goals helping the home team beat the Everett Silvertips 4-2. Whether the Tips were that good defensively or the Rockets were that lacklustre, the home team did just enough to earn the victory.
• The Tips played the type of game they need to in order to win. They limited the Rockets to very few chances over the first half of the game before Long finally broke through to tie things at one. Up until that point the Tips did a tremendous job of standing the Rockets up at the blue line and not allowing them to free wheel up ice. If the Rockets weren't willing to dump and chase it when they approached the Tips blue line, they were spending little time in the offensive zone.
• Tyler Myers returned to the Rockets lineup Wednesday and scored the teams opening goal of the game on a hard blast from the point. Is it just me or is he still growing?
• I am not sure I liked the fact that Jamie Benn was the only real aggressor for the Rockets in this one. Benn got into a fight with Tips defenseman Shayne Brown in the second period with neither doing much damage. I'd call it a draw. I hope this isn't a regular occurrence because your 33 goal man has better things to do than spend five minutes in the box for fighting.
• While veteran goaltender Kris Lazaruk wasn't overly tested by an inept Tips offense, when challenged late in the game Lazaruk again showed his worth with some solid saves.
• The Rockets power play again struck for two goals. In all three wins this season the power play has bailed them out. By no means were the Tips undisciplined, but the Rockets need very few chances with the extra man to generate offense.
• The game was delayed in the second period after a fan was hit in the stands with a puck. It's not often that play doesn't resume, but the officiating staff decided to halt play as medical attention was given.
• The American national anthem played before Wednesday's game took on a new meaning. Twelve player, six from Everett and six from Kelowna are American born. Ok, Tysen Dowzak didn't take in last night's game, but you get the idea. The days of an all Canadian lineup are over at the WHL level.
• I know an outgoing personality doesn't give you points in the standings, but if that was the case the head coach of the Everett Silvertip would be in first place. John Becanic spent a good 20 minutes just talking hockey before we finally got down to the pre-game interview. He reminds me so much of Jeff Truitt.
• The forecasted high today in Medicine Hat? Sunny and +30. No word of a lie.

Bus Legs No More?

• The Kelowna Rockets boarded a new 2009 Prevost bus as they headed out on a three game in three night road trip into the Central Division. I thought I'd give you my quick thoughts on this 'sweet ride'.
• The first four seats on the bus are best described as black leather covered 'La-z-boy' chairs. All four recline and have a foot rest. The chairs have the ability to turn 360 degrees. When I say they are leather covered, I am talking soft leather here. The four seats are used by the coaching staff and athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn. The chairs come with a pop up table for eating or laptop use.
• The remaining seats behind that section of 'La-z-boys' are your typical bus style seats but they too are also leather covered and have the Rockets logo stitched on the front of every head-rest. The leather isn't as soft as the front four, likely for durability.
• The feature I am most excited about is the high speed Internet. It is available throughout the cabin of the bus.
• The bus features satellite TV and radio.
• A big flat screen TV is located at the front of the bus with smaller screens for viewing on both the left and right sides. It should be noted the flat screen at the front is 32 inches.
• I understand that the bus has a larger motor than the previous two year old model, so propelling up the Coquihalla shouldn't be a problem.
• I have been requested not to take any pictures inside the bus, but will put up a photo of the outside once we arrive in Medicine Hat. If your curious about the inside, check the Rockets website over the next week or two.

Have I Died And Gone to Heaven?

Here I am on the Rockets news bus, and they have high speed Internet. This enables me to post from this location while on the road to Medicine Hat. The game recap will follow.


Regan

Captain Kris?

• Kris Lazaruk for Kelowna Rockets captain! Will the Rockets follow the Vancouver Canucks lead after naming goaltender Roberto Luongo their captain on Tuesday? The chances of Lazaruk being named to the post is far fetched, but considering the Rockets haven't named anyone to wear the 'C' this season, Lazaruk could certainly be in the running. Something tells me the Rockets have a series of players who could be named captain before they were forced to look to the 'last line of defense' for leadership.
• The top 10 junior rankings were released this week, and my stomach didn't turn like it did last week. Swift Current in the top 10? I can handle that. If you're undefeated and have a few games under your belt, I can accept that. I also can't argue with Spokane and Vancouver making the grade.
• What ever happened to Torrie Jung's younger brother Mikael? Mikael Jung was attempting to crack the Vancouver Giants roster this season as a 16 year-old, but will play this season in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League with the Comox Valley Glaciers.
• Look for Curt Gogol and Aaron Borejko to have big smiles on their face when they board the Rockets bus tonight. Both are headed back to Alberta for two of three games this weekend. Gogol is from Calgary while Borejko is from Edmonton.
• What's up for debate is if Cody Almond is considered a player from Alberta or BC. Almond was born in Calgary, but his family now lives in Kelowna. On the Rockets roster Almond's hometown is still considered Calgary.
• I was interested to read in 'Hockey Now' that Rockets Tyson Barrie now weighs 191 pounds on his 5'10 frame. Unless he was on a major weightlifting program this summer or was eating way to many Doritos, Barrie has not gained 26 pounds over the summer. Barrie's playing weight is 165 pounds which makes him light on his feet.
• If you are wondering how the Rockets are feeling without Luke Schenn, just ask Vancouver Giants head coach Don Hay what it was like waiting for Gilbert Brule to return from the NHL in 2005. Brule was drafted 6th overall in the 05 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and played 7 regular season games with the big club before returning to junior. Brule was injured twice over those seven games, resulted in him finally returning to the Giants lineup January 20th against Kamloops. That season Brule played in just 27 regular season games in Vancouver before leading the Giants to a WHL championship. Looking back at it now, the Blue Jackets made a huge mistake by forcing Brule into their lineup at such a young age. He is no longer a member of that organization after being traded to Edmonton this summer. Have the Toronto Maple Leafs taken notice of the Blue Jackets blunder?

Rockets vs. Tips Game Notes

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets conclude a mini two game home-stand tonight with a date against the Everett Silvertips. It’s the first of just four meetings between these two teams this season. The Rockets return the favor October 17th. The two teams will then hook up February 6th and February 21st to conclude the seasonal series. Last season the Rockets were 2-1-1-0 against the Tips, out-scoring them 16-12 in four meetings. The Rockets have won two straight heading into tonight’s battle after a 5-4 home ice win Saturday against the Kamloops Blazers. In that game Colin Long had two goals while Kyle St. Denis chipped in with a goal and an assist. Jamie Benn, Brandon McMillan and Tyson Barrie each had two assists. The Rockets scored five unanswered goals after the Blazers built up a 3-0 lead through the first 29 minutes of the game. Three of the Rockets five goals were scored on the power play. After tonight’s game the Rockets are on the road for three games in three nights. The Rockets are in Medicine Hat Friday, in Lethbridge Saturday before traveling to Cranbrook Sunday.

Breaking It Down: Of the fourteen goals the Rockets have scored this season, nine have come on the power play. Seven of the Rockets last 11 goals have come with the extra man. Of the 14 goals the team has scored in the first four games, six have come from the 19 year-old age group, while the 18 and 17 year-olds have each combined for 4 goals.

Myers & Benn: The Rockets welcome back Tyler Myers and Jamie Benn recently from NHL training camps. Myers was returned Tuesday by the Buffalo Sabres while Benn came back last Friday from the training camp of the Dallas Stars. Both had the privilege of playing in one exhibition game. The Rockets are now awaiting word on Luke Schenn and Tysen Dowzak.

Trade Winds Blow: The Rockets solidified their goaltending by acquiring veteran 20 year-old goaltender Kris Lazaruk from the Kootenay Ice for a 4th round bantam pick. The Edmonton Alberta produce has played 109 games over his four year career in the WHL. Last season Lazaruk played in 51 games.

Milestones:
Colin Long is playing in his 162nd game tonight. Long has 134 career points.
Evan Bloodoff is playing in his 132nd game tonight.
Brandon McMillan is playing in his 129th career game tonight.
Tyson Barrie has 49 career points and is playing in his 75th career game tonight.
Kyle St. Denis played his 71st career game Friday against Kamloops.
Jesse Paradis is playing in his 47th career game tonight.

Who’s Back: The Rockets return 17 veterans from last years team. Leading that list is last years leading scorer Colin Long. Long led the team in points (101) and assists (64). Second year forward Jamie Benn is also back. Benn led the Rockets in goals scored last season with 33 in just 51 games. Both Long and Benn combined for 64 goals last season. The Rockets return 6 of their top 7 scorers from a year ago.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Six players from last year’s team are no longer around. Brady Leavold, James McEwan and Kristofer Westblom have graduated. Leavold and McEwan are playing pro hockey while Westblom is playing Canadian college hockey this year. Colin Joe and Milan Kytnar were traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the off-season while Myles MacRae elected to leave the team and play his twenty-year old season in the BCHL.

Nine is Devine: Nine members of the Rockets attended NHL training camps this year. Luke Schenn was in Toronto, Tyler Myers in Buffalo and Brandon McMillan with Anaheim. Colin Long attended Phoenix Coyotes camp, while goaltender Torrie Jung was in Tampa Bay. Cody Almond was with Minnesota while Tysen Dowzak received a tryout with the New York Rangers. Lucas Bloodoff also received a tryout with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jamie Benn is the only signed player, and attended the camp of the Dallas Stars. The nine players attending pro camps was a team record.




Rockets Review: Last season the Rockets won 38 games and finished with 84 points. Those 84 points were good for 5th place in the Western Conference and a date with the Seattle Thunderbirds in round one. The Rockets would lose out to the T-Birds in seven games. The Rockets had 21 home ice and 17 road wins last season.

By The Numbers: The Rockets scored 248 goals last season, 4th best in the Western Conference. The Rockets allowed 215 goals against, 5th worst in the West. The Rockets had the 7th best power play in the WHL last season at 19.9%. The Rockets would score 82 goals with the extra man, which were the second most power play goals in the league behind the Vancouver Giants 85.

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:
Oct 1 vs. Everett Rockets 6 Kamloops 2 W
Oct 3 @ Medicine Hat Rockets 1 Portland 2 L
Oct 4 @ Lethbridge Rockets 2 Tri City 5 L
Oct 5 @ Kootenay Rockets 5 Kamloops 4 W
Oct 10 @ Vancouver

Rockets Players by Province: BC=9 US=6 ALB=5 SASK=1 MAN=1 EURO=2 Total=24

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:

Most Goals Scored: 6 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Goals Allowed: 5 @ Tri Sept 21
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 – Rockets were 4 for 11
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 1 @ Tri Sept 21
Most Shots Taken: 40 @ Kamloops Sept 26/08 (6-2 W)
Fewest Shots Taken: 27 @ Tri Sept 21
Most Shot Allowed: 33 @ Tri Sept 21
Fewest Shots Allowed: 17 @ Portland Sept 22/08
Last Shutout: NA
Last Time Shutout: NA
Penalty Shots: NA
Shootout Game Winning Goals: NA

vs. BC: 1-0-0-0 vs. US: 0-2-0-0
vs. Central: vs. East:

Roster Stats:
Player total: 25
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 2 Dowzak, Lazaruk
19’s – 6 Long, Benn, Almond, L. Bloodoff, Schenn
18’s – 7 E. Bloodoff, McMillan, McIntosh, Myers, Novotny, St. Denis, Hood
17’s – 9 Barrie, Brown, Verdino, Gogol, Borejko, Bowman, Callahan, Matejka, Paradis
16’s – 1 Main
Average Age: 17.2
Rookies – 7