Rockets rack up 5th win of the season

• I have a good feeling that the Kelowna Rockets will be involved in a lot of one goal games this season. If that indeed is the case, the only thing head coach Ryan Huska will be concerned about is being on the winning end of the ledger at games end. After losing three straight one goal games, the Rockets earned a 2-1 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars Wednesday night at Prospera Place. The win snapped a two game losing streak while handing the visitors their 7th straight loss.
• Shane McColgan extended his point streak to a career high 10 games with a first period goal while d-man Myles Bell scored a power play goal less than four minutes into the third period for the game winner. Adam Brown was solid in goal making 28 saves in the win.
  
• The player that really stood out for me was 19 year-old defenceman Mitchell Chapman. Chapman was especially good against Cougars forward Charles Inglis. Inglis, playing his first game after sitting out ten games with a suspension, was involved in after whistle scrums at every turn. With Chapman in his back pocket though, Inglis wasn't able to antagonize the home team to any great degree.
  
• The game started off with a bang after Cougars forward Troy Bourke was ejected after hitting Rockets forward Filip Vasko from behind just 22 seconds into the first period. Vasko returned after the hit but Bourke's night was through.
• The Rockets were much better at the face-off circle. The improvement in that department translated into puck possession and a much easier transition out of their own zone.
  
• The Cougars also played the game without leading scorer Martin Marinchin, who was kicked out of Tuesday's game in Vancouver after being ejected following an interference call.
• Fifteen year-old Austin Glover made his WHL debut Wednesday night. The second round pick in this summers WHL bantam draft was called into action after Spencer Main was hurt in Sunday's loss in Vancouver. Even with Glover, the Rockets were one under the league limit.
• You can learn a lot from the battle level of a player. Even smaller players can be effective if they want to outwork an opponent. Sixteen year-old Cougars forward Jarrett Fontaine may be 5'5 but he often out battled others to the puck. Not only was he willing to win board battles but he scored the Cougars lone goal in the third period.
  
• Was it just me or has Cougars d-man Joshua Smith improved significantly from last season? Still wet behind the ears after a rookie season that saw him struggle, Smith has found some confidence in his game and the improved play is noteworthy.