Murray looks anything but a rookie

• The Kelowna Rockets may have the best 16 year-old forward in the Western Conference, but it is clearly evident that the Everett Silvertips have the best 16 year-old defenceman. Rookie Ryan Murray scored once and added two assists and was named the games first star, leading the Tips to a 5-2 win over the Rockets Saturday night. The Tips now have a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series with games three and four in Kelowna Tuesday and Wednesday night.
• What makes Murray so impressive is his inability to feel the pressure when carrying the puck. That can't be taught. Either you have it, or you don't. I haven't seen this young of a defenceman look this good from the U.S Division since Thomas Hickey caught my eye as a 16 year-old with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2005. I think Hickey's a better skater, but the two put up almost identical totals in their 16 year-old season. Hickey had 28 points as a rookie. Murray had 27.
• This is a tied game for the first 31 minutes before the Tips break it open with four unanswered goals. Unlike game one, the Tips are able to score a couple of beauties on terrific passing plays. Shane Harper's power play goal on a tick-tack-toe passing play was nice, but his game winning goal was equally as impressive. Time and space spells trouble if you allow the Tips top players that luxury. When the Tips display that skill, like they did in game two, they are tough to beat.
• The Rockets played a much more physical game than what we saw in the opener, but playing on the edge got them into penalty trouble. Allowing the Tips six power play chances is playing with fire. Playing gritty is one thing . Playing with controlled emotion is another.
• Penalties taken by Collin Bowman (slash), McColgan (interference goalie) and Dallas Jackson (cross checking) have to be avoided in a playoff series. You know the Tips are going to be disciplined, so you have to match their composure. Everett was the 4th least penalized team in the WHL this season and that won't change in the playoffs.
• Geordie Wudrick should be credited for both Rockets goals. The 19 year-olds late third period goal to make it 5-2 was originally credited to Lucas Bloodoff. That should be changed.
• The best save of the game came when Tips goaltender Kent Simpson made a right pad save off of Brandon McMillan on a first period breakaway. I can't see why Simpson wouldn't get the start in game three Tuesday night.
• The Tips are 4 for 9 on the power play in the series (44%) while the Rockets are 1 for 7 (14%).
• When was the last time the Rockets lost the first two games on the road before battling back to win a series? In the second round of last years playoffs against Tri City, the Rockets would lose games one and two in Kennewick before winning game three (7-2) and game four (4-3 in overtime).
• The Rockets look at getting back in the series with two games on home ice. The Rockets won 9 of their last 11 home games during the regular season by beating teams like Vancouver, Spokane and Medicine Hat.