Guggenberger good as gold in victory

• Mark Guggenber may have looked rusty Friday in Brandon, but he was a well oiled machine one night later. After being pulled against the Wheat Kings after giving up 5 goals on 12 shots, the 20 year-old goaltender was solid making 11 saves in the first period and then made the game winning save in the shootout leading his team to a 2-1 road win over the Moose Jaw Warriors.
• Guggenberger was left off the three star selection in the building but he was arguably the Rockets best player. Guggenberger deserves credit for the bounce back game while head coach Ryan Huska deserves credit for believing in his goaltender by again giving him a shot to redeem himself. Huska stuck his neck out for his veteran goaltender and Guggenberger rewarded the coach with a solid performance.
• Both Shane McColgan and Geordie Wudrick impressed with tremendous moves in the shootout. McColgan’s goal came as he moved to the extreme left – almost making contact with the boards - before weaving his way back in towards the goal, beating Brandon Glover to the back hand. Wudrick technically scored the game winner by beating Glover with a nice back hand as well. Both players were cool under pressure.
• Spencer Main is turning into a pretty fine player. You barely noticed him last season playing behind a star studded lineup, but the 17 year-old is finding his offensive flair. Main’s shorthanded goal in the first period saw him skate in from the blue line on a clear cut breakaway, beating Glover with a nifty backhand. Main has points in 6 of his last seven games.
• Warriors forward Cody Smuck deserves credit for taking on both Mitchell Callahan and Curt Gogol in spirited second period fights. After getting the worst end of the Callahan tilt, the 20 year-old attempted to find some energy for his team by taking on Gogol. After taking the early portion of the bout, Gogol got things back with some solid shots courtesy of his left hand.
• Saturday’s game at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre brought back memories for Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert. Lambert spoke emotionally when recalling the Swift Current Broncos first game after a bus accident in 1986 that claimed the lives of four teammates. Lambert was in the lineup when the Broncos took to the ice at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre following the crash, with Warrior fans applauding the visitors as they skated on the ice for the pre-game warm up. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the house that night. I was there. I shed a tear.
• The game also marked the final time the Rockets will play a game at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre. The 1959 structure will be a distant memory when the Rockets return in 2011. I’ll have a video on this blog looking at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre on Sunday. A 34.5 million dollar arena is being built in the downtown core.
• It was great to run into Warriors Director of Hockey Jeff Truitt before the game. While I spoke to him earlier this season when Truitt attended league meetings in Kelowna, it was neat to see him in his own element. I spent a few minutes chatting with his wife Shauna during the second intermission. They are a great couple who’s friendship was built during their time in Kelowna.
• Tyson Barrie's 21 game point streak was snapped Saturday night.
• The Rockets are now 3-1-0-0 on a 6 game road trip.