No where near good enough
(Photo by Marissa Baecker)- The Kelowna Rockets needed a near perfect performance against the Edmonton Oil Kings last night and didn't even come close. The Oil Kings scored five-second period goals in a lopsided 6-3 win before a crowd of six thousand and 27 fans. The 6-3 score was flattering considering the number of big stops goaltender Adam Brown made in the first half of the game. Brown's desperation stop on Oil Kings forward T.J Foster in the second period was just one of many quality saves the veteran goaltender was forced to make. But even Brown's heroics were not enough as the Oil Kings scored four power play goals, three of them in the second period.
- Amazingly, the Rockets had a 2-0 lead after the first period despite failing to record their first shot on goal until the 13 minute mark. But Zach Franko, who has finally found his game, scored on a penalty shot before adding a power play goal 36 seconds later. The Oil Kings didn't panic despite being down 2-0 though. Instead, they fired 17 shots at the Rockets net, chasing Brown after the fifth goal. Jordon Cooke, pictured above, surrendered a goal in a relief appearance.
- Franko's three goal effort was the first of his career. Franko joins Brett Bulmer as the two Rockets to enjoy three goal games this season.
- The Rockets are now winless in five games. The Rockets are 0-3-1-1 over that stretch.
- The Rockets played this game without six regulars. Cody Chikie was injected back in the line up after missing Tuesday's game in Seattle with an upper body injury. Even with a full line up, the effort wasn't good enough to compete against an elite team like the Oil Kings.
- How humdrum was the crowd last night at Prospera Place? Did everybody travel to Seattle Tuesday night to watch the Rockets and returned to Kelowna in the early morning hours? Nothing to cheer about will be the likely defense. If the Rockets were looking at getting energy from the home town crowd, they were looking in the wrong direction.
- It marked the fourth time the Rockets have surrendered 6 goals on home ice. Lethbridge, Red Deer and Portland have also scored six goals against the Rockets at Prospera Place this season.
- Shane McColgan was involved in a fight last night with Oil Kings d-man Keegan Lowe. Surprisingly it is McColgan's fourth fighting major of the season. McColgan's dance card includes, Kichton, Pouliot, Lowe and Fioretti.
(Photo by Marissa Baecker)
5 comments:
It doesnt help when the home team doesnt get anything close to something resembling a shot until half way through the opening period. Lousy PP in the 1st period also set the tone. This crowd has changed, and are no longer willing to assume a Rockets jersey means hard work, wins and excitment. Regan, come on you and Mr Sunshine are the only people in that place who arent frustrated with this years team.
Good things that attendance number you posted was tickets sold and not bums in the seats. So many empty red seats and quite a number of blue ones to.
It is really tough for me to be frustrated with this team right now. These injuries are having a huge impact on their performance. You can't deny that. Show me another team that can dress six-16 year-old's and compete against a top end team like Edmonton? Could they have been better last night? Sure. But I can't kick this team when they are already down, not without key personnel out of the line up. Sorry.
I can agree with you Regan, to an extent. Sure, having SIX 16 year olds against a team like Edmonton is silly and will likely get you a loss, however, This team has yet to prove to the Rockets faithful that they are capable of competing with ANY Team of ANY Calibre, even WITH a 100% healthy line-up. What I want to know is what happened to Spencer Main? NOTHING has been said about him other than upper body injury. Was he concussed, was it a shoulder? He's been out more than half the season, is his career/year toast?
There are far too many questions surround this team right now. I have been trying to avoid this all season because the team is young, but with the lack of improvement being shown thus far in the young guys, maybe it's time to start looking at the coach. I am sure Ryan reads this from time to time, so to you Ryan Huska, I mean zero disrespect at all to you, but it sure seems like Huska has a hard time getting these young players motivated for the big, and hell, even the small games.
That all being said, I am not giving up hope. Bruce has brought this team to the memorial cup far too often for me to doubt his and Lorne Frey's ability to put together a winning product, and with the 2nd youngest roster in the WHL, we SHOULD be a team to be reckoned with in the next year or two.
I think, all the fans are asking for right now, is for this young team to put in a visible effort night in and night out, and the leaders such as Brett Bulmer to at least act like he cares. Brett, since being returned to junior, has looked like he is simply going through the motions and that he knows he will be in the NHL next year regardless of how he performs this year with the Rockets. Last night they looked defeated before they even dropped the first puck, and it was obvious with the inability to put a puck on the net until the 13 minute mark of the first period.
Its hard to get into the game and cheer when the team does not give you much to cheer about. I understand the team has injuries, but all season long they have pretty much played bad. that is why its so frustrating.
Many people, such as fans take to your blog about up to date information on the team and the games being played. In this post you stated, "Jordon Cooke, pictured above, surrendered two goals in a relief appearance.". This would be wrong as during the game Cooke let in one, the highlight video and the game sheet would show this. Thank you for your time, and up to date correct information Regan.
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