Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• The Hitmen were handing out these masks at the Saddledome the other night and I had to pick up a couple for my twin boys. No, they are not Hitmen fans, but the concept is cool. I would like to see a similar mask with the Rockets aggressive looking Ogopogo on it. Much like what is seen on the teams third jersey. The kids would eat it up!
• I received a cool e-mail from Brady Leavold late last night. The former Rocket says he will try to be in attendance Wednesday night for game four. Leavold is just one year removed from a Rockets team that is now in the Western Hockey League final. Can you imagine having Leavold in the lineup this season?
• Speaking of Leavold, don't expect Swift Current Broncos GM Dean Chynoweth to make a deal with Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton anytime soon. First Leavold gets traded to the Rockets and his career takes off, and now former Bronco Mark Guggenberger makes the move to the Okanagan and he is having a story book playoff. All kidding aside, the two will eventually hook up in another trade down the road, but it's interesting that two players traded from Swift Current to Kelowna would make such a big impact.
• Guggenberger's third shutout of the playoffs puts him in some pretty good company. Guggenberger ties Derek Yeomans for second all-time in shutouts in the playoffs. Yeomans had three shutouts in the 2005 post season. The Rockets club record for shutouts in a playoff season is four, set by Kelly Guard in 2003.
• The Rockets top five defenceman in this series are a combined +10. The Hitmen's top five d-men are a combined -9.
• How about Ian Duval. Duval scored 10 goals in 26 games with the Rockets during the regular season and has scored 10 goals in 19 playoff games.
• The numbers speak volumes as to how it took Mikael Backlund time to get comfortable with his new team. Backlund had 12 goals in 28 regular season games and has 11 goals in 16 playoff games.
• It's a small detail, but have you noticed how Rockets head coach Ryan Huska re-positions the microphone during post game press conferences? Most coaches turn their heads when answering a question, get off mic, and no one can hear them. And if the reporters can hear them, it's barely audible for use on TV or radio. Huska grabs the mic, moves it to the proper position, and cozies up to it. Like I said, small detail unless you are a reporter.
• While the Rockets 6 game winning streak in the playoffs is impressive, it doesn't come close to the teams 10 game winning streak during the 2003 playoffs. The Rockets won the first 10 playoff games before losing 3-2 in overtime in game three of the Western Conference final to the Seattle Thunderbirds.
• After seeing Matt Kirk and Chris Savage work games one and three of this series, should we assume Pat Smith and Devin Klein will work game four? Smith and Klein worked game two and let the two teams settle things on their own by failing to call a penalty in the third period.
• I overheard one member of the visiting media questioning how Tyler Myers wasn't named the Western Conference nominee for defenceman of the year. Instead Giants rearguard Jon Blum was given the honor. In fact, Blum won the defenceman of the year award for the entire league. Had Myers played like this during the regular season it wouldn't have been a contest. Be thankful Myers didn't shoot out the lights earlier. Had he, Myers would have made the Sabres opening day roster.
• The best Hitmen in this series outside of Keith Seabrook? In my opinion it's Carson McMillan. McMillan hits people, skates well and is a buzz-saw. I don't see the Hitty's often, but McMillan is the player that's caught my attention.