Foot soldiers win war

• The penalty killing unit was the story last night in the Kelowna Rockets 3-2 win over the Prince George Cougars. The Cougars had four-third period power plays and generated just five shots on goal through the final twenty minutes. On this night it was the foot soldiers that won the game in the defensive zone.
• Not only did the Rockets surrender just five shots on goal in the final period but they allowed just 22 through the entire game. Those 22 shots allowed is the fewest they've given up this season.
• The Rockets could have disposed of the Cougars in the second period but just couldn't find that elusive fourth goal. The window of opportunity for a comeback for the Cougars came early in the third period when they scored 46 seconds into the final frame. The Cougars almost tied it when a Troy Bourke shot went off the cross bar and fortunately stayed out.
• From my vantage point, the two goal lead was uncomfortable at best. I would have liked to see the Rockets play with more urgency in creating the knock out punch rather than letting the home team hang around for a possible comeback.
  
• It was nice to see Carter Rigby score a goal against his former team. It must have felt good. Rigby's opening goal was a case of crashing the net and plugging away at a rebound. Being hungry in front of the net and battling a defender for a loose puck won't make the highlite reel, but it is those types of goals that are timely for a team that can still do greater things in the offensive zone.
  
• The attendance. I hate to harp on it, but how long can this team stay in Prince George when 18 hundred people show up? I applaud those that do because they make some significant noise.
• It is not often you see another WHL GM in Prince George at this time of the year, but Prince Albert Raiders Bruno Campese was sitting with Cougars GM Dallas Thompson for the entire game. I am sure what type of winter tires Thompson chose to put on his vehicle wasn't the only thing Campese was discussing during the two hour game.
• Brett Bulmer was wearing an 'A' on his jersey. That 'A' is usually sported by Spencer Main, who remains sidelined with an upper body injury.