Knocking off #1

• In a game full of emotion and teetering on dirty with the game out of reach, the Kelowna Rockets managed a 4-1 win Wednesday night over the #1 ranked Calgary Hitmen. The game featured four fighting majors including Rockets defenseman Curt Gogol dancing with Hitmen forward Ian Schultz just 2 and a half minutes into the first period.
• How chippy was the game? Offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie is involved in a fight with Hitmen forward Cody Beach after a high hit late in the third period on teammate Shane McColgan.
• The two teams combined for 105 penalty minutes. It was old time hockey.
• The game had all sorts of emotion, possibly a carry over from last seasons WHL final. These two teams hate one another, which is refreshing considering the Hitmen are from outside the Western Conference. It's amazing what a hard fought playoff series, even if it was six months ago, will do for a rivalry.
• Adam Brown was the story for the Rockets. Brown made 35 saves in the win, his best game of the season. Brown's best save was on a penalty shot off of Hitmen forward Joel Broda when the game was scoreless. Following that save the Rockets would score just moments later to take a 1-0 lead.
• Stepan Novotny scored two power goals, both in the first period. It was nice to see Novotny score against a solid team. If he wants to be considered an elite player he needs to produce against the top end teams, not the bottom feeders.
• A nice touch that Hitmen coach Mike Williamson started forwards Cody Sylvester and Cody Beach. Both are Kelowna residents.
• Brandon Kozun was the best Hitmen. Kozun has tremendous speed and was a threat to score on every shift.
• Lucas Bloodoff was named the Rockets captain before the game and promptly chipped in with two assists.
• As for the officiating...do I even go there? Not good.