Reddick's antics a key in Americans win

• Tri City Americans forward Kruise Reddick ended the Kelowna Rockets season last April with an overtime game winning goal in game five. Wednesday night at Prospera Place, the now 20 year-old played a prominent role, again, in deflating the Rockets tires in another one goal loss. Instead of scoring, Reddick started a skirmish late in the second period that would eventually get his team back in the game. Reddick body checked Rockets forward Mitchell Callahan into the boards in what appeared to be a check from behind. Instead of referee Andy Thiessen making a call, he let the infraction go, resulting in a scrum which saw Rockets defenseman Colton Jobke square off with Reddick while Max Adolph danced with Americans forward Jordan Messier. While those four were fighting, 10 minute misconducts were also handed out to several players. When the dust had settled, the Rockets found themselves playing shorthanded as the visitors were granted a two minute power play. With the Rockets holding a slim 3-2 lead after 40 minutes, the Americans gained momentum off the man advantage, eventually scoring two goals in a 1:58 span for a 4-3 come-from-behind win. As luck would have it, Reddick would draw an assist on the game winning goal when 16 year-old rookie Connor Rankin finished off a nice pass from the Americans team captain.
• The Rockets received a solid effort from two veteran players. Mitchell Callahan didn't score a goal or pick up an assist, but he was his feisty old self. Goaltender Adam Brown had a nice bounce back game with some huge saves, including a dandy in the second and a couple of beauties in the third.
  
• Brett Bulmer scored for a second straight game while rookie Zach Franko earned an assist to extend his point streak to a modest two games.
• The nicest Rockets' goal came when rookie Colton Sissons picked off a bad Americans clearing attempt, thread the needle on a perfect pass to Evan Bloodoff, who rifled a shot on a one timer into the back of the net. It was Sissons first career WHL point.
• After being a healthy scratch Saturday, d-man Antoine Corbin responded with a two point effort. Corbin's power play goal came on a scramble at the side of the Americans net while the Rockets were enjoying a 5 on 3. The Americans complained that Thiessen had a slow whistle on the play, and they had a case. With no whistle being blown, the Rockets kept chipping away at the puck before Corbin finally got it past Tri City goalie Drew Owsley.
• As mentioned, the Americans seem to find their game following an early third period power play. Brendan Shinnimin and Brooks Macek came alive with some dazzling puck movement and pin point passing. When those two players are given room to maneuver, they are lethal.
• The Rockets played this game without defenseman Tyson Barrie and Shane McColgan. The two top scorers from last season won't play in Friday's rematch.
  
• The win improved the Americans record to 3 and 0 while the Rockets are 0 and 2.
• Despite some empty seats at Wednesday's game, the paid attendance was 6 thousand and 26.
• Did you notice the odd looking box inside the one net defended by Americans goaltender Drew Owsley in the first and third periods? A camera was set inside that box which will undoubtedly produce some great shots. Can't wait to see those posted on the Rockets website in the near future.