Better effort, bad result

• The Chilliwack Bruins have only one win this season when trailing after two periods. Oh, make that two now! The Bruins scored two-third period goals and then used a shootout marker from forward Jamie Crooks in a 5-4 win Friday night over the Kelowna Rockets. It looked like the Rockets had this game well in hand after leading 3-1 midway through the second period, but the Bruins had other ideas. Two power play goals, including the tying goal with 3:08 left to play in the third period, helped the Bruins earn two points. The loss extended the Rockets losing streak to three games and snapped a four game home winning streak.
  
• It marked the first time this season the Rockets lost a game in either overtime or a shootout. The only team not to lose in a shootout this season is Medicine Hat.
  
• The Bruins won for the first time this season when giving up three or more goals. Up until last night, the Bruins had dropped 23 games when giving up that many goals against.
  
• The game started off with a big hit in the early stages of the first period when Bruins leading scorer Ryan Howse applied contact on Rockets defenceman Tyson Barrie. Barrie remained down before slowly making his way to the bench. The 19 year-old returned to action moments later and collected two assists at games end.
• The most disturbing hit came when Rockets d-man Colton Jobke crashed into Bruins forward Tim Traber. Traber was helped off the ice after the blindsided hit and was sent to hospital. Video replay showed Traber falling awkwardly, possibly breaking his leg. Traber was sent to hospital while Jobke, who returned to the lineup after missing six games with a knee injury, may now face a suspension. Jobke received a five minute major and game misconduct.
  
• Sixteen year-old Colton Heffley found himself involved in two fights, both against Bruins 17 year-old Brendan Persley. The two fought in the first period and then danced again in the second frame.
  
• Evan Bloodoff scored twice in a losing cause, giving him 16 goals on the season. Those 16 goals are one better than the career high 15 he scored three seasons ago. Bloodoff had success playing on a line with Geordie Wudrick and Colton Sissons. The three provided the most consistent effort among the forwards throughout the game.
  
• The Bruins, minus their best defenceman Brandon Manning, who was serving game two of a seven game suspension, lost Zach Habscheid after the second period. Habscheid was seen watching from the press box in the third period with a undetermined injury.
• I will say it again, I am not sure why the Bruins are dead last in the BC Division? It just doesn't make sense. With that type of fire power, the Bruins are scary to play against. In fact, the Rockets looked like the more uptight team as they were clinging to a one goal lead late in the third period. Playing passive, the Bruins scored the tying goal before Crooks played the role of hero in the shootout.
• The most impressive Bruin forward was Roman Horak. He looked good playing the point on the power play. Forward Brandon Magee also worked his tail off.
  
• The best shootout goal came from Rockets forward Cody Chikie who did a spin in front of Bruins goaltender Lucas Gore before depositing the puck into the net. What was equally as impressive was Bruins forward Kevin Sundher's nerves of steel as he appeared to lose control of the puck going in on Brown in the shoot out, before settling it down and beating Brown on the back hand. Sundher collects three assists, scores in the shootout and isn't named a game star. What's wrong with this picture?
  
• Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert had high praise for Rockets d-man Zak Stebner, saying it was the 20 year-old's best game in a Rockets uniform.
  
• This was the longest game of the season. It took 2 hours and 40 minutes to play.
• Despite the loss, the Rockets earn a point and move within two points of idle Vancouver for first place in the BC Division.