Thursday, October 14, 2010

Third period magic falls short this time

  • The Kamloops Blazers got what they deserved Wednesday night. So did the Kelowna Rockets. The visiting Blazers were a determined, hardworking bunch in a 5-4 win. The Blazers were not without their flaws, but they outworked the Rockets the majority of the night in the one goal win. Even Rockets coach Ryan Huska agreed that the final score likely flattered his team.
  • Both coaches made goaltending changes early in the game. Rockets rookie starter Jordon Cooke was pulled by Huska in an effort to wake up his team while the Blazers surprisingly yanked starter Jon Groenheyde after the first period. I am not sure what Blazers coach Guy Charron saw, but he didn't like what he witnessed from the veteran goaltender and replaced him with 20 year-old Jeff Bosch for the start of the second period.
  • Hockey is a game of inches isn't it? With the Blazers leading 4-2 in the second period, Rockets rookie forward Andreas Steen is stoned by Bosch with a nice right leg save. Had Steen gotten the puck up, it would have made it a one goal game. Instead Steen can't score resulting in Blazers d-man Bronson Maschmeyer lighting the lamp late in the period to give the visitors a 5-2 lead heading into the third.
  • The Rockets battled back in the third, but despite going 3 for 9 on the power play, it faltered at the most inopportune time. The Rockets were given a gift when a delay of game penalty gave them the final two minutes of regulation to score the equalizing goal. Unfortunately they failed to even register a shot on net.
  • Did you notice who was on the Rockets power play in the dying seconds? Who wasn't on the ice should give you an indication of who's play didn't sit well with the coaching staff.
  • Shane McColgan finished the game with three assists.
  • Defenceman Brendon Wall scored his first goal in a Rockets uniform.
  • The Rockets played the third period with just five d-men after Colton Jobke was ejected from the game for receiving a major for elbowing Blazers forward Dalibor Bortnak late in the second period.
  • Did you notice the new horn sound when the Rockets score? I will admit it will take a little getting used too. I though the old one was more abrupt...more attention getting maybe? This new one will take some time to get used too.
  • I spoke to Blazers forward and captain Chase Schaber about the 12 game suspension handed down Tuesday to Tri City Americans forward Brendan Shinnimin.

1 comment:

g.k said...

Uh oh !!! Not the Blazers!! Lordy - Lordy , where was Geordie?? Love the hit by Jobke, we need more physical play like that, seemed to spark the boy's a bit!!