Kicking Back in Calgary

Colton Gillies, former Saskatoon Blade, has a laugh prior to the Minnesota Wild practicing following the Rockets workout at the 'Dome'.

Ian Duval and coach Ryan Huska have a good one-on-one session.

Mikael Backlund loves Calgary. He better...considering he could be a part of the Flames next season.

Collin Bowman (right) and Kyle Verdino (background) take to the ice Thursday afternoon.

Mark Guggenberger - Guggs - gets a quick pic before taking to the Saddledome ice. Tyler Myers (left) and Evan Bloodoff 'share the love' after practice Thursday. The two were instrumental in the Rockets 6-1 win in Medicine Hat Wednesday night.

• The Rockets had a spirited workout this afternoon at the Saddledome in Calgary. The team took to the ice after the Calgary Hitmen - Saturday's opponent - went through the paces. After practice, former Rocket Jason McDonald - now with the Hitmen - had a chance to chat with his former teammates.
• The Rockets can play spoiler Saturday night. The Hitmen need one more home ice win to tie a WHL record for most wins at home in a season. The Hitmen currently have 32 wins, one off the 33 home ice victories set by the Swift Current Broncos and Kamloops Blazers.
• Look for Ian Duval to have a solid game against the Hitmen Saturday night. Duval was the odd man out when the Hitmen got down to three overage players. Duval was given the slap in the face when he was sent to Moose Jaw.
• Kyle St. Denis practiced with the Rockets this afternoon. St. Denis flew into Calgary instead of making the long bus trip to Medicine Hat with a head injury. St. Denis will likely sit out Friday's game but could be back in the lineup Saturday against the high flying Hitmen.
• Rockets forward Mikael Backlund was gathering attention from the Calgary media this afternoon as the Flames #1 pick took to the ice. Photographers, radio and video journalists were all on hand to get a few words from the soft spoken Swede.
• Following the Rockets practice, the Minnesota Wild took the ice for an afternoon workout. It was a chance for Cody Almond - a Minnesota Wild pick - to talk to a few familiar faces within the Wild organization. The Wild play the Flames tomorrow night.
• The Wild are represented by a few players with WHL connections. Colton Gillies, Derek Boogaard and Josh Harding just to name three.
• I spoke briefly with Gillies, who just turned 20 this month. The former Saskatoon Blades is loving the NHL life. I joked with him that now that he is no longer with the Blades the team is finally playing solid hockey. Gillies admitted that the team was getting into a groove late last season, so this years results are no surprise for the well spoken forward.