Sunday, November 4, 2012

'Whistle' while you work


  • Jackson Whistle has the Prince George Cougars number. The 17 year-old goaltender made 21 saves Saturday night in the Kelowna Rockets 5-0 win over their BC Division cousins. Whistle had similar success against the Cougars last season when he made 19 saves a member of the Vancouver Giants in a 3-0 shutout win. That win was Whistles first as a WHL goaltender and first shutout of what appears to be a promising junior career. Last night against the Cougars, Whistle was steady when called upon in facing just 21 shots. His best save came against Cougars forward Troy Bourke on a first period breakaway, a shot that he calmly turned aside with his blocker. Whistle was pressed into duty after Jordon Cooke suffered an upper body injury in practice earlier in the week. Whistle now has a goals against average of 0.82 and a save percentage of .971. Oh ya, he is also 3 and 0.
  • The Rockets haven't surrendered a goal in 175 minutes and 21 seconds (thank you Gord McGarva for your math). After back-to-back shutouts, Jordon Cooke and Jackson Whistle haven't allowed a goal since the first period of a win in Calgary back on October 28th.  The last time the Rockets recorded back-to-back shutouts at home was in March of  2010, with a 5-0 win over Seattle and a 3-0 whitewash of Vancouver.
  • The line that impressed me the most last night consisted of Tyson Baillie, Colton Heffley and Cody Fowlie.  Those three worked their tales off with the best goal of the game coming late in the second period when Baillie was involved in a battle for the puck in the corner. Baillie got it to Heffley, who found Fowlie in the slot for a quick one timer. The goal made the score 3-0 and came just moments after the Rockets killed off a 5 on 3 Cougars power play. That goal, essentially put the game away. The Rockets added two-third period goals and cruised to the win.
  • I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it, but since Cody Fowlie got his long hair cut considerably shorter, he's been scoring. Since the trim, the about to be 20 year-old has 3 goals and one assists in his last two games. Fowlie turned 20 tomorrow. Seriously, the haircut has nothing to do with it...or does it?
  • While Fowlie was seen scoring in back-to-back games, so was Tyrell Goulbourne. For a second straight game, the 18 year-old scored the game winner. 
  • While he was left of the three stars, Colton Heffley had a strong game as previously mentioned. Heffley earned three assists, his first three point game of his WHL career. Heffley was physical, separating the opposition from the puck and then making a play with it. 
  • It was a night of first as rookie Mitch Wheaton registered his first WHL fight against Cougars d-man Marc McNulty. Two players that stand about 6 foot 5 traded punches.  It wasn't poetry in motion, but it was nice to see Wheaton step outside his comfort zone.  
  • The Rockets have won 10 games at the 1/4 mark of the season. Yep, 18 games are in the  book. It took the Rockets 25 games last season to win their 10th. 
  • Now riding a season high three game winning streak (wins over Calgary, Kamloops, PG) the Rockets host Edmonton Wednesday and Red Deer Friday night. 
  • We are at the 1/4 point of the season and I will grade the players after the first 18 games in a post tomorrow. Don't worry. Everyone in my class passes.

7 comments:

g.k said...

Couldn't make it to the game last night but watched the highlights on the Rockets Website, I was just wondering how your vocal chords are today Regan, it sounds like they got quite the workout last night, also hope that Cookies injury isn't too serious!! Big game on Wednesday sure hope he's able to play.

Ryan said...

interesting your season only has 36 games if we are at the half-way point. Everyone may pass but I know someone who Failed miserably.

bigkev said...

why don't they play Whistle more???

jaz301 said...

I am liking what I am seeing from the rockets team this season compared to last. Could they improve still? Sure. There is always room for improvement, but overall they look like a much better team.

It is nice to see the rockets winning. Sure you cant win them all, but losing a game and giving a 100% effort is better and more entertaining then losing a game because you give a half ass effort.

Regan Bartel said...

g.k: My vocal cords feel good. Love it when they get a workout. It has been a fun season. More good times ahead.

Ryan: Appreciate the positive feedback. Thanks Regan for sharing your thoughts. Thanks Regan for your informative blog. Nope. I will pick apart every error your make. I won't walk in front of you when going down the stair. You'll most likely push me from behind.

bigkev: Cooke's play this season hasn't warranted the coaches to play Whistle more than he has. Good insurance policy though.

Jaz301: Agreed. Entertainment value is there. If they work hard, they will win. Even if they work hard and don't, which happens against elite teams, fans leave the rink happy.

MG said...

I am not sure I have seen anyone as negative as Ryan is on here. Man life must be one great big dark cloud in your world. Reagan make's one little mistake and the best you got is a dumb ass comment which has nothing to do with the team's great game last night.

Anyway it sure is nice to see that third line step it up. I hope Fowlie can keep up the scoring.

Jared Comeau said...

I don't think anyone would miss Ryan or his comments if you screened his posts and didn't post them like you did with that KBF loser back a couple years ago.