Lopsided Rivalry Heats Up With Late Game Fireworks

• Jamie Benn slammed the door to the Kelowna Rockets bench in frustration following a failed second period power play, and then slammed the door shut on the Kamloops Blazers with his 35th goal of the season on a late second period man advantage, leading the Kelowna Rockets to a 5-1 win Saturday night. Benn’s goal, with 25 seconds left in the second period, gave the home team a 3-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
• Kyle St. Denis scored the game winner - also on the power play - five minutes into the second frame. St. Denis (1+1=2) was joined by Benn (1+1=2), Tyson Barrie (0+2=2) and Ryley Grantham (0+2=2), who all enjoyed two point nights.
• The two teams combined for 19 power play chances, with the Rockets scoring three times with the extra man. What was more impressive is the Rockets ability to shut out the Blazers on 9 chances with the extra man.
• Despite the 19 power play chances, they game didn’t get chippy until: a) the third period b) the game got out of reach. The game featured four fighting majors, yet Tysen Dowzak’s tilt with Blazers forward Tyler Shattock will go into the books as a double minor for roughing. It’s amazing how a one sided scrap can be viewed that way.
• The Rockets are now 7-0-0-0 against the Blazers, having allowed just 13 goals against in those seven games.
• The Rockets won for the 22rd time this season at home, matching their total of wins at home from last season.
• It appeared from my vantage point in the broadcast booth that the Blazers coaching staff were chirping several of the Rockets players. While there is no rule against that type of behavior, it is usually an unwritten code at the major junior level that the coaches keep quiet other than throwing verbal barbs at one another from the respective benches or at the referee.
• The Blazers left for an Alberta road trip after the game. Before they make a stop in Calgary Tuesday night the Blazers will spend some time in Halkirk Alberta, the site of Circle Square Ranch, owned and operated by Shane Doan's parents. The Blazers will have a chance for some r and r and team building. The Vancouver Giants did the same thing a few years ago.
• The Rockets play their third game in three nights tonight in Spokane. The Rockets were 1-2-0-0 when they had three games in three nights in early October. The Rockets will also play three in three February 20, 21 and 22 and March 13, 14 and 15th.
• When was the last time the Rockets won all three games when playing three games in three nights? Look back to October of 2005 with a 3-2 win in Swift Current, a 6-3 win in Saskatoon and a 5-4 shootout win in Moose Jaw.