It's Now A Best Of Three

• Jamie Benn has scored many big goals for the Kelowna Rockets, but none were bigger than his power play goal Wednesday night. Benn's blast from the right face-off circle on a nice feed from Cody Almond lifted the Rockets to a 4-3 win, tying the best of seven series at two wins apiece. Game five is tomorrow night in Kennewick. The win also forces a game six back in Kelowna Sunday afternoon.
• The goal was scored after Tri City defensman Riley McIntosh was fingered to the penalty box after hooking Ian Duval on a scoring chance. While the penalty call could be disputed, you have to remember that the Americans earned wins in game one and two on late third period penalty calls, resulting in back-to-back game winning goals on the power play.
• The overtime penalty call wasn't near as bad as a penalty shot awarded to Mikael Backlund with seven minutes left in the third period with the game tied at 3. Backlund is undoubtedly hooked from behind as he is sent in against Americans goaltender Chet Pickard, but instead of calling a penalty, a penalty shot was awarded. Questionable call again, yet the Americans were awarded a penalty shot in game two when Jordon Messier was given a one-on-one chance with Rockets goaltender Mark Guggenberger, but also failed to score. Makes you wonder if the referee's in this league indeed look at the calls that were made in previous games.
• You have to admit that the Rockets were the more desperate team in the third period and in overtime though. The Rockets had 23 shots in the third period and overtime combined as compared to the Americans who managed just 9.
• Tyler Myers again was his usual self, eating up huge minutes in the crucial game. Myers would not only score the tying goal in the third period, but would assist on the game winner in overtime.
• As good as Myers was, Collin Bowman, Tyson Barrie, Tysen Dowzak and Brandon McMillan also need to be applauded for their efforts. After a shaky second period that saw the Rockets turnover the puck and make bad decisions in their own end, the defensive core was able to rebound with a much better third period, lending a helping hand to the come-from-behind win.
• The save of the series has to be Chet Pickard's glove hand grab on a Mikael Backlund shot in overtime. Tyson Barrie's back hand finds Backlund at the other side of the net for an easy tap-in. Wrong! Backlund's chip shot is snagged out of mid air by Pickard's glove. Wow.
• Pickard made another sensational save earlier on in the sequence when Jamie Benn was robbed after Pickard stacked his pads and somehow got his left leg on the shot that appeared destined for the top corner.
• The Rockets ended the game 3 for 5 on the power play and are now 7 for 14 (50%) in their last two games.
• Curt Gogol is getting ice time in overtime. What does that say about the confidence the coaching staff have in his play?
• Americans forward Mitch Fadden did not see any playing time in overtime, and the report I was getting was that Fadden left the arena with his arm in a sling. I didn't see this for myself, but heard this from one of the reporters down near the dressing room.
• Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter took in the game. If you missed it, here is the interview: www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FRO9_1683.MP3&nid=908429