Saturday, February 7, 2009

Score Flatters Visitors

  • The Kelowna Rockets fired 47 shots towards the Everett Silvertips goal Friday night, but it took Mikael Backlund's goal with 20 seconds left in overtime enabling the home team to skate away with a 2-1 win. Backlund's goal came after Kyle St. Denis passed a puck from the end board that found the stick of Backlund, who quickly one timed it into the back of the net.
  • The Rockets 47 shots on goal were a season high.
  • This game was clearly dominated by the home team, yet the Tips had a 1-0 lead late in the 3rd period before Rockets captain Colin Long scored to tie it at one. While the Rockets out-shot the Tips 30-7 over 40 minutes, the visitors were able to earn a point against a team they were clearly over matched by. Solid goaltending by Thomas Heemskerk was the reason why the Tips were within 5 minutes of stealing two points out of Prospera Place.
  • Kyle St. Denis returned to the Rockets lineup Friday night, and didn't miss a beat. St. Denis was one of the best players on the ice, outside of Heemskerk's heroics in goal. St. Denis took a regular shift and saw time on the power play. If this is a sign of things to come, look out!
  • I had the pleasure of talking with Tips rookie forward Kellan Tochkin before the game. What a class act this kid is. The 17 year-old is a great example of what other rookies should consider before jumping to major junior at 16. Tochkin elected to play one more season of junior 'B' as a 16 year-old before moving to major junior at 17. The extra year to mature and develop his game in junior 'B' has resulted in a much better player for the Tips long term. Tochkin now leads all WHL rookies in scoring. While he didn't generate much Friday night (he had an assist), his offensive totals are no fluke. He is going to be fun to watch for years to come.
  • Here is the interview I had with Tochkin: www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_1323.MP3&nid=871665
  • The Rockets have now registered points in 7 straight games. The Rockets are 5-0-1-1 over that period.
  • I wanted to share this e-mail I received from a listener Friday night.
    Regan!!!!
    We have been listening to the game on the internet as we sit in our condo
    in Punta Mita Mexico. We are vacationing for 3 weeks and have season
    tickets to the Rockets. It feels so good hearing you and ...... your
    counter part...sorry I forgot his name...he is good as well. I'm so glad
    that Rockets won! St. Denis is amazing.
    Thanks for the entertaining commentary.
    p.s. it has been in the mid 30's and so hot and humid! Take care.
    Keith and Loretta Stutters.
  • Was it a Western Hockey League record? Twelve American born players took part in last night's game. Seven from the Rockets and five from the Tips.

4 comments:

g.k said...

Hey Regan great game last by the whole team, but my comment today is with reqards to the poor coverage the Rockets receive on CHBC TV!!! I stayed up when I got home last night so I could see the highlites on the late news but lo @ behold all they could do was give me the score, I mean they showed the hilites of the game from Kamloops the other night, what's up?? Now I here Pat Kennedy is done, so where are we going to be able to see game hilite's now?? Is there any other source you know of?? Very disappointed.

Regan Bartel said...

Pat Kennedy's last day was Friday at CHBC. From what I understand the sports department at that TV station no longer exists? I don't think they've abandoned highlites all together, but it will look much different when you see then on the stripped down version of CHBC.

3stuges said...

Regan,
Any chance you can access highlites and post them?

Regan Bartel said...

I will see what I can do. I will check to see if I am able or if a copy right barrier stands in the way.