Sunday, October 11, 2009

Rockets 'gobble up' another victory

  • The Kelowna Rockets celebrated the Thanksgiving long weekend by gobbling up a 7-1 win Saturday night over the Prince George Cougars. After the Cougars opened the scoring on a first period penalty shot, the Rockets would score the next seven goals.
  • The win was the Rockets 6th straight, just two wins shy of the teams impressive 8 game winning streak to end last years regular season.
  • If Brandon McMillan keeps playing like this he won't be around at Christmas. McMillan had a two goal night to pace the Rockets attack. He has Canadian world junior team written all over him if he continues to play like this.
  • What makes the win impressive is six different players were involved in the scoring. The scoring by committee is the only way this team will have success this season. No one man will win them a hockey game. I guess you can use the old adage 'strength in numbers'.
  • The Rockets again scored twice on the power play, but the key goal came in the second period even strength when Spencer Main made it 3-1. Just prior to Main's goal, the Rockets killed off a Cougars 5 on 3 power play. Had the Cougars scored, it would have been 2-2. Main's goal gave the home team a two goal cushion.
  • What was going on with referee Matt Kirk? Kirk was the only one calling penalties last night as official Ryan Thompson became a spectator. Kirk's questionable call resulting in a penalty shot for the Cougars was the start of a rough night for the veteran official, who was far too proactive. Remember - less means more.
  • I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cougars head coach Dean Clark before Saturday's game. I could have lobbed soft ball questions his way, but we talked about coaching and his time away from the game. I think the interview is worth sharing on this blog. I'll post the audio on Monday.
  • It may be premature, but happy birthday to Rockets goaltender Adam Brown. Brown turns 18 on Monday. Brown is draft eligable this season.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

im sure you noticed regan, but benny got his first NHL goal last night off a sweet dish from ribeiro and now has a 3 game point streak to enter the NHL. not too shabby i'd say.

Regan Bartel said...

Yes, I saw the goal last night. Good for him. I understand former linemate Brady Leavold was in attendance at GM Place to cheer Benn on.