Trade Deadline Players Are Difference Makers in Game Three

• Fists used as sledge hammers during the regular season have handed the Calgary Hitmen a staggering blow in the Western Hockey League championship series. Ryley Grantham, who amassed 17 fighting majors this season, scored the game winning goal in the first period leading the Kelowna Rockets to a 2-0 win over the Hitmen, and a 3-0 lead in the best of seven series. It was Grantham's second game winning goal of the playoffs after turning the trick in a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League Western Conference final.
• While Grantham scored the game winner, 20 year-old Mark Guggenberger recording his 3rd playoff shutout, making 21 saves. Guggenberger, the games first star, was at his best in the third period when the Hitmen out-shot the Rockets 10-2 as they tried desperately to score the equalizing goal. Here is a video of 'Guggs' getting named the games first star.

• Shutting out the Hitmen is no small feat. Calgary scored the most goals in the WHL during the regular season and were one of few teams not held off the scoreboard this season. It was another solid defensive effort by the Rockets, who limited the visitors to just 11 shots on goal through 40 minutes.
• The biggest hit of the game came late in the third period when Cody Almond ran over Hitmen defenceman Keith Seabrook. The hit saw Seabrook's helmet come off, much to the delight of the capacity crowd that jeered Seabrook every time he touched the puck. It was Seabrook who knocked Jamie Benn out of game two with a huge hit.
• The Rockets played this game without injured forward Jamie Benn. It is nothing new for a franchise that was without two key players in the 2005 playoffs but found a way to win. In the opening round the Rockets were without Shea Weber, yet eliminated the Vancouver Giants in 6 games. To make matters worse, the Rockets would lose starting goaltender Derek Yeomans in game one of the league final only to see backup Kristofer Westblom lead the Rockets to a championship title.
• Only four minor penalties were called in game four. Two other penalties were also called, but those were offsetting minors. The Rockets were 0 for 3 on the power play while the Hitmen received just one chance with the extra man.
• Infractions will be overlooked in a series of this magnitude, but when Mitchell Callahan gets cross-checked in the back of the head in the second period, I have to shake my head.
• The Rockets have scored an empty net goal in all three games.
• The Rockets have now won 6 straight playoff games.
• Alan Caldwell informs me that the Hitmen lost four straight to Lethbridge in the 2008 Eastern Conference finals. I won't argue with that considering Alan's amazing work with numbers.
• The Rockets have out-scored the Hitmen 10-3 in the three games.
• Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter was again in attendance.
• Former Rockets captain, now Montreal Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges took in the game.