Excitement!

• Excitement. That would best describe the Kelowna Rockets emotion heading into Wednesday nights game against the Vancouver Giants. The players won't say it publicly, but my general feeling is this game will give them a good sense of how good they are since acquiring four players - prior to and at - the trade deadline.
• Even forward Mikael Backlund knows the importance of playing well against the Giants, and my gut tells me the 19 year-old forward will be at his best Wednesday night. Backlund seems to play his best in the 'big game'.
• I've heard chatter from hockey fans over the last couple of days questioning coach Huska's handling of this talented team. Give me a break! This new group has been together for three friggin games. If you are about to push the panic button without this team being allowed to come together, something is wrong with the mentality of the fans, not the coaching staff. Think of it this way. If you added four new people to your work place, would everything work smoothly on day one? Would their be some miscommunication and mistakes made along the way?
• Backlund struggled on the weekend and admits he didn't bring his 'A' game to the table in losses in Prince George. But can you blame him. Backlund is likely experiencing the world junior hockey championship hangover, is playing away from home for the first time in his career, and is now playing on a smaller ice surface. Throw in the fact he is playing with a new team in a place called Kelowna, are we asking a bit much by thinking this teenager won't miss a beat as he makes the jump to major junior.
• Go out and play. That's the message Rockets head coach Ryan Huska has for Backlund. Don't worry about making mistakes, just go out and do the things that you do best. Shoot the puck, create scoring chances and be a threat offensively. That's what the Rockets need from Backlund.
• Look for Colin Long to be reunited with Jamie Benn Wednesday night. Likely joining those two will be Stepan Novotny, who outside of Cody Almond, has really stepped up his play.
• Almond with Backlund and Ian Duval make up a solid second unit.
• Early February. That's when Kyle St. Denis should be back in the lineup. The return date is likely February 3rd in Kamloops. In speaking to St. Denis today, the cast has been removed and his wrist is about 85 to 90 percent healed. St. Denis says he has been given clearance to join the team next Wednesday against Prince George, but they will sit him out an extra couple of days to make sure his wrist gets added healing time.