Rockets Extend Winning Streak To Season High 6 Games

• If the Prince George Cougars were expecting roses from the Kelowna Rockets Saturday night to celebrate Valentines Day, they ended up with a bouquet of thorns. The Rockets scored three times in the first period, cruising to a 5-1 win over the visitors.
• The win extended the Rockets winning streak to 6 games. The Rockets have out-scored the opposition 23-7 over that period. When was the last time the Rockets won 6 in a row? The Rockets won 7 straight from December 31st to January 12th of last season before losing 5-3 to the Kamloops Blazers.
• After an emotional win Friday night over the Giants, an emotional letdown was hard to avoid. Give the Rockets credit for the effort though with Mikael Backlund scoring twice in the win. Backlund's line of Cody Almond and Ian Duval were quiet in Friday's victory but came alive in the teams 35th win of the season. Backlund and Duval were a +3 while Almond was a +1.
• Curt Gogol again had a solid game for the Rockets. A huge hit and a solid fight against Cougars defenseman Art Bidlevski has you liking this player more and more every game. In some respects its a shame he wasn't given a star in last night's win. The three stars shouldn't be all about points, but the dynamic you bring in leading your team to victory.
• That said, was it a case of mistaken identity when Evan Bloodoff came onto the ice to accept the 2nd star? Luke Bloodoff had a goal and an assist, yet his younger brother skated away with the accolades.
• Adam Brown got a rare start and took advantage of the situation. With Mark Guggenberger getting the night off, Brown was sharp in his appearance, recording his 15th win of the season. It's those big stops early in the game when it's scoreless or your up by just a single goal that make a huge difference in the outcome of a game.
• The Rockets have not allowed a power play goal in six straight games. The Rockets are 31 for 31 in kills over that period. The last power play goal given up by the Rockets was to Seattle's Jonathan Parker in a 2-1 overtime loss January 31st.
• What's going on with Tysen Dowzak? A two point effort - two assists - was a pleasant surprise. Again solid in his own zone, Dowzak has put together back-to-back solid games on the Rockets defensive core. Dowzak had a two assist effort against Medicine Hat January 30th.
• Here is a video interview I had with Rockets forward Colin Long before Saturday's game. One questions revolves around the comment I made about Long showing up in the 'big game'. That statement was formed in the way of question if anyone was second guessing his abilities against elite teams. This isn't my belief, as I've seen him pull this team out of the fire many a time prior to his heroics in wins over Spokane and Vancouver.