Fiesty forward does whatever it takes to win

(Photo by Marissa Baecker)

• Energy. Determination. Doing whatever it takes to win. Second year forward Tyrell Goulbourne didn't find his name on the score-sheet Saturday night in a 6-5 win over the visiting Victoria Royals, but his two fighting majors were instrumental in the one goal victory. Goulbourne set the tone with an early decision over 6'5, 229 pound Royals defenceman Keegan Kanzig and then regained momentum with a second period fight with good friend Brandon McGee after his team surrendered three goals in a span of 2:59. With those two tilts under his belt, Goulbourne was then rewarded with crucial ice time with his team clinging to a one goal lead late in the game as the Royals looked for the tying goal. On this night Brett Bulmer receives the games first star for his three goal effort, but Goulbourne deserves a lot of credit for playing his role to perfection.

• Goulbourne has seven fighting majors this season after registering five all of last year. The 17 year-old leads the Rockets in the fighting department with two more than teammate Jessey Astles.
  
• Getting back to Bulmer....the 19 year-old registered his first career hat trick Saturday night. Bulmer had six, two goal games but never had a three goal effort. Bulmer looked far more interested in the offensive zone and was rewarded for his efforts. Every time he touched the puck he looked dangerous, but the question remains whether he can bring that effort consistently to the ice to earn a spot on Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.
  
• This was a crazy game where both goaltenders struggled. I thought Royals veteran Keith Hamilton had a rough outing and Rockets 20 year-old Adam Brown followed suit. With the Rockets up 2-0, the Royals stormed back to take a 3-2 lead only to watch the home team scored back-to-back goals to regain the two goal lead. The two teams would exchange power play goals in the third before Bulmer's third of the night proved to be the game winner.
  
• The Royals almost earned a point, when on the power play and the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, they scored as the buzzer sounded to end the game. After video review the goal was disallowed and the Rockets escaped with a one goal win. It marked the first time in four attempts that the Rockets beat the Royals.
• Rockets rookie Tanner Moar scored his first ever WHL goal. The only rookies that have failed to score are now Filip Vasko and Cole Martin.
• Brown played in his 168th career game, setting a new Rockets franchise record for goaltenders, breaking the old mark set by Kevin Swanson.
• I am really liking the progression of forward Colton Heffley. Involved in a fight with Royals d-man Zach Habscheid, the 17 year-old is also finding himself in better scoring positions.
  
• While Royals rookie Keegan Kanzig was on the losing end of the Goulbourne fight, how tough will the 16 year-old be to play against as he matures? This is going to be one powerful player that NHL scouts can't ignore with that tremendous size.