Alumni hockey game thoughts and observations

• It may have been 34 degrees outside Sunday afternoon, but that didn't deter hockey fans from showing up for the Kelowna Rockets alumni game at the Capital News Centre. It was a full house as fans watched an up tempo game which had little in the way of defense. What was the score? Does it really matter? The fans were treated to some pretty goals and some good goaltending.
• The two referee's for the game were assistant coach Kim Dillabaugh and athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn.
• Speaking of goaltending, Kristofer Westblom was on the winning end by making two spectacular glove saves; one off of the stick of Jamie Benn before robbing Evan Bloodoff.
• It was great to see Kelly Guard at the other end of the ice representing Team White or in this case Steamer's Stallions. Guard played senior hockey in Saskatchewan last season and is no where near his solid self when he backstopped the Rockets to a Memorial Cup in 2004. It was just nice to see the capacity crowd yell out "Guard" on three separate occasions when the national anthem was song prior to game time. Man, does that bring back good memories.
• Gavin Hamilton was the winning coach guiding the black team to the victory. Local golf pro Neil Schmidt's team, in white, took the loss.
• Marc Habscheid made an appearance at Sunday's game. Just the fact that the now Chilliwack Bruins GM and head coach showed up was pretty cool. I heard he was in the building, but didn't actually see him.
• Only two current Rockets participated in Sunday's game. Evan Bloodoff and Mitchell Chapman were on the ice competing against the pro's. Lucas Bloodoff and Brandon McMillan were playing too, but they won't be wearing Rocket colours this season.
• This would never happen in a game, but I sat next to Luke Schenn on the bench for the third period. This gave me a chance to touch base with the personable Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, who is as good a guy as they come. Between shifts, 'Schenner' told me he is still a regular reader of 'the rant'.
• How big is Nolan Yonkman? Huge! Yonkman told me he is tipping the scales at about 255. He will be attempting to crack the Phoenix Coyotes roster this season.
• Both Schenn and Yonkman complemented me on the Riders hat I was wearing. Schenn is from Saskatoon while Yonkman is from Punnichy.
• Only one penalty was handed out in Sunday's game. A penalty shot was awarded to Shea Weber. Weber skated in and fired a slap shot from the hash marks that went wide, much to the relief of goaltender Kristofer Westblom.
• It was good to see Rockets assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert out there showing his stuff. The dude can still play. 'Cutter' scored a goal in a losing cause.
• Rockets forward Shane McColgan is in town. The 17 year-old will be working out with athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn for a couple of weeks.
• No wonder Josh Gorges was so good last season. Again this summer he is working out with Shea Weber. Weber, I hear, is an animal in the weight room.