Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Gritty Forward Becomes Goal Scorer

  • In the playoffs one player with a marginal skill set is often times able to stand up and score timely goals. That player for the Vancouver Giants is rugged winger Lance Bouma. Bouma's goal with 68 seconds left in regulation time lifted the visitors to a 3-2 win, and a 2-1 lead in the best of seven Western Conference championship series. Bouma now has 7 goals in the playoffs, two of those in this series. The spark plug had just 9 goals all of this season, much of which was spent on the injury list.
  • Bouma's goal came after an odd man rush developed inside the Rockets zone. Bouma elected to shoot, and with a rolling puck coming off the tape of his stick, beat goaltender Mark Guggenberger high to the blocker side - short side.
  • When I say Bouma has a marginal skill set, all I am saying is he knows his greatest contribution is made when he crashes and bangs body's, and if he can chip in offensively, great! In a pre-game interview I spoke highly of Bouma's play in games one and two and told Don Hay I thought he was his best player. Don't believe me? Check out the audio. Would I want Bouma on my team? Ya!! www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_1759.MP3&nid=915622
  • The goal was the eventual back breaker for the Rockets, but a 5 on 3 power play chance with about 17 minutes left in the third period in a 2-2 game was the real killer. With both Brent Regner and Craig Schira in the penalty box, the Rockets were able to generate several quality chances on Giants goaltender Tyson Sexsmith, yet the veteran shut the door with some big saves. For the first time in this series Sexsmith won the battle of the goaltenders, and after looking average in games one and two, was a difference maker in his teams second win of the series.
  • The Rockets ended the game 1 for 6 on the power play, but it felt like they failed to score on all six attempts. The reason? The power play goal they did get came courtesy of Jamie Benn being in the right place at the right time by coming out of the penalty box and gathering up a loose puck in the neutral zone. Benn skated in alone on Sexsmith, beating him between the legs on the clear cut breakaway.
  • I thought Ryley Grantham had a solid game for the home team. Grantham was involved physically, was in a series of pushing matches after the whistle, and even got into 'verbal warfare' with Giants goaltender Tyson Sexsmith after marginal contact was made between the two as Sexsmith played the puck behind the Giants net.
  • Rockets head coach Ryan Huska pointed to his team failing to get significant secondary shots on Sexsmith. While the Rockets fired 35 shots on net, Huska didn't feel the quality was good enough to beat a goaltender that got better as the game wore on.
  • I thought both Evander Kane and Casey Pierro-Zabotel had quiet games. Neither were a force offensively, as Craig Cunningham and Bouma took charge. What's scary is if those two come alive, what type of trouble are the Rockets in for?
  • After looking stellar playing together with Cody Almond, Mikael Backlund and Ian Duval couldn't create the magic they had in games one and two. It wasn't because of a lack of trying, but Jamie Benn and Colin Long appeared to be a greater threat offensively in game three.
  • It marked the first time in the playoffs that the Rockets suffered a loss at home. The Rockets are 5 and 1 at Prospera Place in post season.
  • Giants co-owner Pat Quinn took in Tuesday's game. He was low profile, elected to watch the game from a luxury box.
  • It was nice to see Kyle St. Denis return to the Rockets lineup in game three. The 19 year-old forward saw a limited role, but it was just nice to see #23 in Kelowna Rockets colours. St. Denis had missed 25 straight games with a concussion.
  • Be sure to check back later this morning for pic's and video from game three.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Will the league send a message to Benn for his two hander on Sexsmith?
Or will the Giants send a message to Benn via Guggenburger?
Certainly the league can't tolerate stick swinging at a goalie. Gutless move by Jamie, I was really disappointed in him, as one of my favourite players.

Rocketwatcher said...

Same message the league sent Vancouver on the Gogol faceplant?? In the heat of the moment things happen..Gutless?? It takes a lot of nerve to touch any teams goalie....nasty, yes..gutless...not a chance. Watch the leg whacking Candy Kane is dishing out before condemning Benn.

grinder said...

things get chippy and players get frustrated, no need to be disappointed. I just cant believe that goon scored with a minute left, that really grinds my gears

george said...

So disapointing. I think Kane(great nickname rocketwatcher) wouldn't be very effective if he was called for his slashing, tripping and whining. I never seen a player except Sexsmith whine like him. Thursday is another day and another game. We got the talent just have to believe it. Come on Rockets and Rocket Fans stay enthusiastic. The fans really helped them out last night so keep it up. The one goal games show how evenly matched they are.........Go Rockets!!!!!!!!!!

fan said...

Regan maybe the rockets would have scored on there 5 on 3 if they didn't pass so much & shot a hell of alot more

Regan Bartel said...

The Giants played that 5 on 3 as good as you are going to. They did have some good chances though on the p-p, just didn't capitalize. Yet even after the 5 on 3 was over the Rockets had plenty of time to score a 5 on 5 goal to take the lead.

g.k said...

I have to agree with Fan, if you watch the Giant's they shoot at every opportunity & get alot of their goals from rebounds & getting in the goaltenders face, we have to be able to pay the price in front of Sexsmith & those chances will come, hey why not park Granny in Sexsmiths face, gee haven't we heard this before!! C'mon Ryan why not use him, he's big & tough & won't be moved easily!!

g.k said...

Just watched the hi-lites of last nights game, hate to pick on anyone but the second Giant goal was the result of a turnover by Bowman & the winning goal would never of been scored if "dare I say it again" Bowman had finished his check on Bouma. I'm sure the coaching staff will address his mistakes & Colin will play a much better game on Thurs. GO ROCKETS!!!

grannyfan said...

I agree Grantham did some awesome checking! It was great to see him out there. The powerplay needs something I agree with g.k. Grannys job is to create havic so put in front of Sexsmith on the powerplay, he is HARD TO MOVE and we know how much Sexsmith likes Grantham HAHA!

GiantsMemCup09 said...

Well, I thought I'd cool down and read your post & the comments b4 entering the fray. My initial reaction last night was anger at Grantham's hit on Sexsmith, but then I just put it down to "playoff hockey." However, Benn's slash certainly got my blood boiling. Classless, gutless, cowardly are all words that come to mind. This from a supposed "star?" Seems more to be a temper tantrum from a spoiled child who can't get what he wants. Poor Jamie can't score? Cry me a river. To compound things the ref only gives him a minor. Should have been 5 & game. Even more, he scores coming out of the penalty box. Shouldn't even have been in the game at that point. Good thing the kids were in bed upstairs. They didn't hear the string of profanities coming from the rec room. Justice prevailed, however, with Bouma's goal. This time the kids did wake up wondering what all the cheering was about.
I agree with "George Graham." Disagree vehemently with "Rocketwatcher." Heat of the moment?? Watch the replay. Skulking around behind the net afraid to join the skirmish, then attacks from behind. Again, cowardly. If Kane whacks legs (which I dispute) at least he's got the guts to face his opponent and tough enough to answer the call. Not like baby Benn.
Had to laugh at "grinder" calling Bouma a goon. I was reserving that term for Grantham. A no-talent big body Huska throws out when crap needs to be stirred up. Coach getting desperate?
And Regan? No comment at all on the incident in your post? Come on!
Anyway, that's as far as I'm gonna go. I'll try to get back to reasoned discussion later.

Regan Bartel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Regan Bartel said...

After watching it on video, it was not good. Benn was fortunate to only get a 2 minute minor. When it happened, my attention was drawn to the front of the net, not Benn behind the goal.

Rocketwatcher said...

Easy premature MemCup guy.....I never said I condoned the Benn slash....but I repeat, if you touch a goalie generally you are playing with fire. No one tuned Benn so I guess it's open season? Hardly.....And your comment that Kane is tough and faces his opponents is ludicrous. He loves to hit by the numbers and if I recall correctly the last time he tried to fight he got worked. He is too good of a player to cry over every call but make no mistake, and be honest and watch him tomorrow...he loves to hit from the wrong side...not brave at all...And Sexsmith shouldn't flop around on every touch...no one will believe it if he ever get really hurt...

Jared Comeau said...

sexsmith is lucky....He's got over 6000 towels to dry his tears from gettingtouched

RocketsGirl said...

So I was just watching Tuesdays Game again and I must say Sexsmith should become an actor, those dives he took, specially the one where Grantham skated by him and didn't really touch him... Priceless... So all I have to say is that if hockey doesn't work out for Sexsmith he should really consider becoming an actor as he did an amazing job at it...

GiantsMemCup09 said...

So, RocketsGirl,..."Grantham skated by him and didn't really touch him..." Next time your on your skates, shooting a puck, leaning to your left and Grantham hits you in the head with his shoulder I'd like to see you stay standing and continue play. Not that I'm complaining about the hit. Just the idea that he's diving. That's absurd.

GiantsMemCup09 said...

Anyway, should be an interesting game tonight. Looking forward to it. I don't think Guggenberger has anything to worry about. The games are too close to exact any measure of "revenge." The Giants don't play that way, anyway. (There's a straight line for all you Giant haters.)
Either team that gets through this will have a huge hill to climb against Calgary. Slogging through this then facing a team that hasn't really been tested yet. I see Drummondville has swept their first 3 series as well.

RocketsGirl said...

Have you seen a replay on Grantham and Sexsmith, GiantsMemCup???

grannyfan said...

to the giantsmemcup09 blogger you did make me laugh! We obviously hit a nerve calling Bouma a goon, so you r trying to make Granny one, just because he is big and can throw a hit doesnt make you a goon. The "hit" on Sexsmith was not intentional he was going by on high speed and if Sexsmith is out then lookout! ( I agree with rocketgirl Sexsmith does have a good chance at acting). As far as no talent he has shown he is more than a physical player with scoring, as well as being drafted!!! Felt i needed to say a rocket perspective, no one likes it when your own players get hit. It is hockey though. Toughen up. Benn should not have lost his temper like that though neither.

grinder said...

to GK Bowman is supposably hurt, this might explain him not finishing his check on Bouma

grinder said...

Grantham doesnt deserve to be called a goon, maybe if he showed up everynight and banged bodies and mixed it up then he would have that right.... Lets keep his title as finesse goal scorer, ha.