Sluggish second period=sixth straight setback

• You would be hard pressed to remember the last time the Kelowna Rockets were .500 on home ice, but the Rockets were there Saturday night after a 4-3 loss to the visiting Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels withstood a late third period flurry, handing the Rockets their 6th straight loss and 11th setback at Prospera Place this season. The Rockets are now 11-11-2-1 on home ice.
• The Rockets were 16-15-3-2 on home ice during the 2006-2007 season which translates to a winning percentage of .514.
• A sluggish second period was the downfall of the Rockets on this night. The home team generated just five shots on goal in the second frame, yet still managed a late goal from defenceman Dallas Jackson to make it a 4-2 deficit heading into the third period. It was Jackson's first point in a Rockets uniform.
• Cody Chikie was the Rockets best player, showing hustle throughout the game. The 18 year-old scored his 14th goal of the season to open the scoring in the first period. It marked the third straight game in which the Rockets opened the scoring.
• Shane McColgan and Tyson Barrie each picked up two assists in the loss. The two players had five point weekends.
• The last time the Rockets went 6 games without a win was during the 2006-2007 season. The Rockets went 9 games without a regulation win that season, going 0-7-2-0 from January 13th to February 2nd.
• The Rockets have just one win in their last 8 home games. (1-7-0-1).
• The loss keeps the Rockets in 8th place in the Western Conference, six points up on Seattle.
• It was just last weekend that the Rockets entered a home and home series with the Kamloops Blazers with a one point lead on their arch rivals. The Blazers are now 8 points up on the Rockets for 6th in the conference, having won five straight. The Blazers have earned 10 points while the Rockets have earned just one. It translates into a 9 point swing in just over a week.
• Rebels starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper had to leave the game early in the third period after making a partial stop on a Tyson Barrie blast that went through his legs before forward Brandon McMillan shoved it over the goal line to make it a one goal game. Kuemper appeared to get a piece of the puck with his....how do I say this delicately....his groin before it went past him. After a few agonising minutes in the crouched position, Kuemper slowly made his way off the ice. Backup Kraymer Barnstable, a Kelowna kid, did a great job in shutting the door the rest of the way.