Missed chances prove costly

• Missed opportunities, both on the power play and even strength, cost the Kelowna Rockets a win in Calgary Saturday night. The Rockets were 0 for 6 on the power play, including a 5 on 3 chance late in the first period, in a 2-1 road loss. Had the Rockets scored a goal with Cody Sylvester and Giffen Nyren in the box for tripping, it would have gone a long way in an attempt of knocking off a team that has lost just 8 times on home ice this season.
• With the game less than three minutes old, forward Tyler Matheson squares off and fights Hitmen enforcer Rigby Burgart. A draw in my books, the fight was a good sign by Matheson, who had been a healthy scratch the past two games. I think what it showed his teammates was as important as what it showed him. Matheson can contribute, and it showed his teammates that if he’s pulling on the rope for the greater good of the team, so should I. Matheson’s early bout provided energy for the team and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
• The goaltenders in this game were solid. I have to talk about Adam Brown again for his strong play. So many solid stops stand out, but the glove hand save off of Hitmen’s leading point getter Brandon Kozun in the second period just shows you what kind of zone Brown is in right now. Kozun finds a lane to the net and has a clear one-on-one chance between the hash marks with Brown. Kozun fires a wrist shot to the glove hand corner of Brown, who calmly makes the save. Brown was also force to make a breakaway save off of Joel Broda during a second period power play.
  
• I was interested to see who would start in goal against the Hitmen considering the Rockets were playing in Calgary for the first time since last years WHL championship series. While Mark Guggenberger, the star in last year’s series against the Hitmen, would appear to be the choice, the coaching staff went with the right move by playing Brown. You can’t tell me Brown is not playing the best hockey of his career. He is making some unbelievable stops, but more importantly is not allowing soft goals.
• Martin Jones was also steady in the Hitmen net. Jones’ save off of Evan Bloodoff on a second period breakaway was impressive. Bloodoff’s low blocker side wrist shot was perfectly placed, as was Jones blocked, which directed the puck into the corner.
• Rockets rookie forward Jesse Astles found himself involved in a third period fight with Hitmen forward Cody Beach. It marked the second time this season Astles has been involved in a fight with the member of the Beach family. He fought Spokane forward Kyle Beach earlier this season.
• Speaking of Astles, this road trip showed me some positive signs in his development. I think he is a lot more skilled than he is given credit for. The 16 year-old made some nice passes over the past two games to create scoring chances for his teammates and rang one off the goal post Friday night in Edmonton.
• The loss keeps them in 6th place in the Western Conference, but now in a tie with Kamloops. The Blazers were a 6-3 winner Saturday night in Medicine Hat.
• Once again I thought this was a gutsy effort by a Rockets team that played their 6th game in 9 nights. Outside of a few veterans, this was a solid team effort against a very good Calgary team. My sense is the guys love playing in that building, and for the most part it showed Saturday night.
• The Rockets have six games left in the regular season, four of which are on home ice.
• Be sure to check out the WHL website later this week as the league does a video on Rockets forward Shane McColgan. McColgan is interviewed along with assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert. I even had a chance to throw in my two cents on this dynamic 16 year-old's rookie season.
• Best public address announcer in the Eastern Conference? The dude in Calgary is solid. I like his style. Excited when the Hitmen score but not over the top crazy. Plus when he announces the Rockets goals, it doesn’t sound like he wants to commit suicide.