Tips trip up Rockets

• How good are the Everett Silvertips? If Saturday night's 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Kelowna Rockets was any indication, this skilled team does not panic when the chips are down. It's the sign of a veteran hockey club. Despite trailing 4-2 with 13 minutes left in the second period the Silvertips managed to battle back with the final three goals of the game in the one goal victory.
• The Rockets could have put the dagger in the Tips heart when Stepan Novotny was awarded a second period penalty shot with the home team leading 4-3. Novotny misses, sending the two teams to the dressing room separated by just a single goal. Missed opportunities from the Rockets side and capitalizing on chances given up by the home team essentially was the difference in this one.
• The Rockets missed a golden opportunity when rookie Jessey Astles fired the puck towards an open net only to have Tips defenseman Alex Theriau make the save. The offensive chance was made possible after Tips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk miss played a puck in his own zone.
• The momentum began to turn in the Tips favor after Cameron Abney's goal at the nine minute mark of the third period to tie the game at 4. After the goal was scored the Rockets played tight, almost sensing that the Tips were about to score. Score they did on a shot that deflected off of a Rockets defender and on the stick of Everett forward Kellan Tochkin. The power play goal gave the Tips their first lead of the game with just under 7 minutes left in regulation time.
• He won't get much credit after the game, but Tips goaltender Thomas Heemskerk made some terrific saves to keep his team close. Without Heemskerks heroics, a third period rally wouldn't have been possible.
• The game winning goal was scored when Rockets rookie defenseman Mitchell Chapman was fingered to the penalty box for elbowing. Questionable call to say the least, but you can't put the blame on the officials for the final outcome. The Rockets were given 9 power play chances, plus a penalty shot on a weak call where the one official believed Heemskerk threw his stick at a Rockets forward during a wrap around chance. The home team was given ample opportunities to put the game out of reach, yet they couldn't do it. The Rockets had about seven minutes to tie the game but couldn't find the back of the net.
• Mitchell Chapman returned to the lineup after missing 7 games with an injury suffered in the third game of the season against Kamloops.
• I am still confused over the new rules in regards to fighting. Rockets defenseman Curt Gogol gets into a punch-up with Everett forward Cameron Abney 3 seconds after the Tips score a power play goal to make it 3-2. Essentially it's off the face-off following the Tips goal. Is that not a pre-meditated fight or do Gogol and Abney get pissed off at each other even though neither were on the ice when the goal was scored? Both received 5 minute majors for fighting.
• Rockets forward Shane McColgan is the real deal. The 16 year-old now leads the WHL in points by a rookie and appears to be getting better every game I see him play. His ability to skate, play make and get involved physically just makes you shake your head. He is one special player that will have more than just Rockets fans talking as the season moves along.