Things that make me go hmm...

• Let me go on record as stating I don't think Brett Bulmer is a dirty player. He really isn't. I think Portland Winterhawk fans may be questioning that after what they witnessed Saturday night, but Bulmer is an emotional player that obviously went over the line. Is Kamloops Blazers forward Brendan Ranford considered a dirty player? Nope. Yet he lost his cool last season and made contact with a linesman as he was being escorted to the penalty box. Ranford was promptly suspended. So while I suggested the kneeing incident on William Wrenn would be considered a 'dirty play', I don't consider Bulmer a dirty player. Clearly frustrated, he went over the line much like Ranford did. It happens, even to the most skilled players on a team.
  
• Whether Bulmer plays in game three or not isn't the Rockets real problem. The problem lies with other players stepping up their game in an effort to make this a series. Shane McColgan was one of the main reasons the series last year against the Hawks went six games. McColgan was tremendous, especially in game one. So far, McColgan has just one assist.
• We have to remember that the Rockets were playing without their top defensive defenceman in the first two games of this series. Mitchell Chapman, who was named the teams top d-man at the year end awards banquet, is out with an upper body injury. The 19 year-old would be blocking shots and would definitely make life a lot tougher along the boards for the Hawks forwards if he was in the line up. I can't recall one real good hit that a Rockets d-man has made on a Hawks forward in the first two games.
  
• Without Chapman the Rockets are icing just one 19 year-old player. That one 19 year-old player is Brett Bulmer. The Hawks have nine-19 year-old's on their roster.
  
• Would I consider Hawks forward Brad Ross a dirty player? He has a spotty track record, but in saying that, how composed has he been in this series. Ross was like a choir boy in the first two games. It looks like Head Coach Mike Johnston has him reeled in pretty good. Ross is clearly a better player when he keeps his composure, plays with an edge, but doesn't take bad penalties. Mission accomplished in the first two games.
  
• We had a lot of discussion on this blog Sunday about how Adam Brown's mom was treated in Portland. I am sad to hear her experience wasn't a good one. I would hope any parent of a visiting player would be treated with respect while watching his or her son play. I know that if a Hawks fan was being abused at a Kelowna game, and I saw it happening, I would step in to defending that person. Friendly banter is part of it. Being rude, offensive and making the entire experience miserable for a visiting fan is unacceptable.
• The officiating. I haven't said much about it in the first two games because it really hasn't been a factor. I've just accepted it for what it is. It is never really that good and that won't change. I prefer the two teams being allowed to play rather than the referee's being whistle happy. For the most part the first two games haven't been over-officiated.
  
• I am patriotic, but sometimes I wonder if we are wasting our time with the national anthems at the start of the game. It is tough for organizations to find real good singers to belt out the anthems and at times it can be ugly. But when it is done right look out. How about the national anthem duet before Saturday's game in Portland. Outstanding.
  
• No cheerleaders in Portland. Very disappointed. Haha.
• The Rockets lost all three games at home to the Hawks in last years playoff series. The scores were 5-4, 4-2 and 4-2.
  
• Overall, the Rockets are 5 and 5 in their last ten home playoff games dating back to the start of the 2010 playoffs. The teams last home ice playoff win was in game two of an opening round series with Prince George in last years playoffs. The Rockets beat the Cougars 7-4 on March 26th.
• A Rockets fan was complaining the other day about Sven Bartschi being in the WHL. "He's too good. He should be in the NHL, not playing major junior hockey". He may have a point, but let's celebrate the fact we can see these type of players at 'our' level rather than witnessing NHL teams rushing underage players into pro hockey. We've seen too many 19 or younger players pushed into the NHL where they crash and burn. I wish a steadfast rule was in place that stated if you are 19 or younger, that player is prohibited from playing pro until his junior season is over.