Backlund Has Last Laugh In Verbal Duel With Pickard

• Mikael Backlund's second effort created some insurance for the Kelowna Rockets in a 5-2 win Friday night over the Tri City Americans. Backlund's first shot was stopped by Pickard, yet his second attempt trickled over the goaltenders shoulder, giving the visitors a 4-1 third period lead. It was that goal that took the air out of the Americans tires and dashed any chances of a comeback bid.
• Backlund showed some emotion after the goal by verbally jarring with Pickard. It likely all stemmed from Pickard getting in the face of Backlund after robbing him in overtime in game four Wednesday night. Backlund had the last laugh Friday night.
• The Rockets did a near perfect job of protecting the lead, allowing just 6 shots on goal through the final 20 minutes. The best flurry the Americans had was during a power play with the goaltender pulled. On top of that, defenceman Tyler Myers was playing without a stick. Despite the pressure, Mark Guggenberger was able to shut the door.
• Speaking of Guggenberger, his quick pass up the near boards to a waiting Jamie Benn was the key in the game winning goal. Benn picked up the puck just outside the Americans blue line, located Novotny, who snapped a shot past Pickard to make it 3-1.
• The first period had the most flow, with both teams initiating body contact. While the Americans were willing to push back, does it not play in the Rockets hands when the opposition focuses on going tooth and nail with the much larger opponent?
• The Rockets have now opened the scoring in every game in this series. Lucas Bloodoff's goal just under 7 minutes into the period got the visitors off to a great start.
• It was Colin Long's best game of the series. Long's assist on the opening goal was a great way to kick off the game, and his empty netter, while insignificant in the big scheme of things, just proves that if you work hard, the puck tends to find you. Long's goal came from just inside the Rockets blue line.
• The refereeing duo of Matt Kirk and Derek Zalaski were clamping down on one thing - diving. Anything close to a dive and the offender was sent to the penalty box. I am just hoping the double minor Colin Long received for diving was in error. I have never seen a double minor for diving. Let's hope the call was two minutes for diving and two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• For the first time in this series my favorite Americans player,Kruise Reddick, had little impact. Reddick had an assist, but wasn't his dangerous self.
• While Brett Plouffe returned to the Americans defencive core, I thought the home team really missed Jarrett Toll. Toll appears to be the more physical of the two, and his ability to win board battles was clearly missed.
• Shane McColgan made his WHL playoff debut against the Americans Friday night. McColgan saw limited ice time, but having the 15 year-old experience the playoffs first hand can't be a bad thing - long term. Injecting McColgan into the lineup forced Spencer Main into the stands.
• For the first time in this series the Americans were unable to score a power play goal. The Am's were 0 for 7 with the extra man.
• The Rockets can wrap up the series with a win on home ice Sunday afternoon.