Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Tough to win when you give up seven

  • The Kelowna Rockets scored five-second period goals against the Vancouver Giants Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the Rockets, the visitors scored seven of their own. Brendan Gallagher scored three times, one of which was into an empty net, in the Giants come-from-behind 7-5 win.
  • When was the last time the Rockets gave up seven goals at home? It was December 27/09 in a 7-3 home ice loss to the Giants. Kevin Connaughton had 2+2=4 in the win.
  • It looked like the Giants would run away with the game after scoring two goals in the first 2:40 of the opening period. But despite a 2-0 lead after the opening frame, the Rockets scored five straight goals in the second period for a 5-2 lead. The three goal cushion wasn't enough on this night as the Giants scored the next five goals. Three of them came in the third period.
  • Gallagher had three goals, but teammate Craig Cunningham did one better with five assists.
  • Three of the Giants goals came on the power play. The Rockets failed on three attempts.
  • Mitchell Callahan and Shane McColgan each had a goal and two assists in the loss. Callahan was again the inspirational leader with his hard nose play. Callahan scored, but he also got into two fights with willing participant Wes 'my name is to long' Vannieuwenhuizen.
  • Give Giants d-man Neil Manning some credit for his play. Manning started out as a forward before shifting to defence as the game went along. Manning ended the night with a goal and two assists.
  • Rockets forward Spencer Main had two goals and an assist and also got into a fight with 16 year-old Giants forward Dalton Sward.
  • The Rockets could have taken a 6-3 lead in the second period but a goal by Tyson Barrie was disallowed after Evan Bloodoff was fingered to the penalty box for goaltender interference. It was the wrong call, and the Giants scored on the power play to make it a two goal game. Despite the mistake, Rockets head coach Ryan Huska couldn't get over the fact his team relinquished a three goal lead.
  • Tyson Barrie returned to the lineup after a five game absence. Barrie collected one assist but was also on the ice for three of the Giants even strength goals.
  • Defenceman Kevin Smith earned his first goal in a Rockets uniform. The 19 year-old was probably just happy to get rid of his full face shield for the first time in five games.
  • The Rockets are now 3 and 7 after ten games and are 1 and 5 on home ice. Game three of a four game home stand continues Friday night against the Everett Silvertips.

13 comments:

Jared Comeau said...

I know your not going to say it Regan, so I will, and be the voice of you and Gord because you HAVE to be thinking the same thing. I don't normally place blame on the officials, but tonight the Giants had this game handed to them by both refs.

Regan Bartel said...

I don't necessarily agree. They made some bad calls, no question, but they were up 5-2. Outside of 5 minutes of the second period, the Rockets don't score a goal.

bigkev said...

they seemed to give up after the 5th goal. they acted like it was over.

hey regan how the fight round 2 go
left after the 7th goal

Regan Bartel said...

If you left after the seventh goal, I can't tell you. Kev, you must stay for the ENTIRE game. Seriously...it was closer than the first tilt between the two. No damage done to either player.

Jared Comeau said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Regan Bartel said...

We are ten games into the season. Only ten games. The Rockets have played what...three games maximum with everyone in the lineup? Talk to me at the thirty game mark and we will see where we are at. No question its been a rough start, but ten games into the season is no reason to go overboard here.

g.k said...

We need to address 2 keys area's immediatley or were in trouble. Our goaltending & our 20 year old situation!!

MG said...

Historically, the Rockets have had a few rough starts to their seasons, may not like this but it has happenned before. I still think ( maybe because of the reduced lineup) that they are struggling to gel as a team. We all know that once everyone buys into the coaches systems, play postion and work hard, the Rockets will be a very competitive team. Callahan is sure playing well and deserves a lot of credit.

Unknown said...

That was an interesting game to say the least and i agree with ya Regan the season is still young and those outings are building blocs to learn what it takes to win at the end of the day they got what they deserve and we got to see lots of offense ...Can't wait to see that Gallagher in a Habs uniform... Let's hope Huska can get into the players head and make them understand what it takes to be a winner, mental toughness that is ...

Unknown said...

I think that something has to give with Wudrick pretty soon. Before the season started, based on last yrs playoffs, I was thinking that he was capable of 100 pts this season. At this point it looks more like 100 lazy tripping minors.

g.k said...

I agree with Jim, what has happened to this guy?? No emotion, he won't hit or skate hard, & what happened to that sizzling shot he had? Regan & Gord you must see it too?

Regan Bartel said...

I see it, I just can't explain it.

Gord McGarva said...

Most importantly I hope Geordie sees it. Perhaps being a healthy scratch will light the fire.