- The Kelowna Rockets were jumping in January. The BC Division leaders closed out the month on a winning note Thursday night with a 6-1 win over the visiting Victoria Royals. The win, the teams 22nd consecutive on home ice, is the third longest in WHL history. It also allowed the team to clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference while moving within five points of Portland for first place in the overall WHL standings. The Rockets erupted for three goals in the first and three more in the second period in the win. While Tyson Baillie scored twice, goaltender Jordon Cooke was sharp early in the game allowing his team to build up a significant lead. In 14 games this month, the Rockets were 12-0-2-0, the best January ever in team history.
- Colton Sissons led the way for the Rockets in January with 18 points (7+11=18). Tyson Baillie also played strong with 17 points in 14 games (7+10=17). Dylen McKinlay, playing in his 300th career WHL game Thursday night, ended the month with 16 points (5+11=16). Zach Franko, Myles Bell and Ryan Olsen all chipped in with 15 points in January.
- The best goal of the game came from Tyrell Goulbourne. The 18 year-old used good outside speed, cut towards the net and chipped the puck over the shoulder of Royals goaltender Patrik Polivka. Goulbourne has great speed but is finally showing it off consistently. His career high 7th goal of the season was a beauty and was a nice way to cap the month considering the Edmonton product had 9 points in January (3+6=9).
- The Royals didn't play that badly but had problems beating Cooke. Several solid stops in the first period allowed the Rockets to earn a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. The two teams combined for 27 shots in the first period alone.
- Cooke has now won 18 straight starts at Prospera Place and is 19 and 2 on home ice this season.
- Dylen McKinlay earned two assists giving him 101 for his career.
- Zach Franko scored the game winning goal in the first period. It was his 150th point of his WHL career.
- Damon Severson now has 40 points, third most by a defenceman in the WHL. Last season, the New Jersey Devils draft pick had 37 points.
- Jesse Lees scored Thursday night, giving him 9 goals on the season and 5 in his last seven games. It was also the 17 year-old's 100th career game.
- MacKenzie Johnston has 17 points this season. Twelve of those came in January alone.
- The Rockets again lead the WHL in goals scored with 234, one better than the Portland Winterhawks.
- The Rockets travel to Vancouver Friday night to face the Giants. The last time these two teams met at Pacific Coliseum, the Giants used overtime in a 4-3 win. AM 1150 has the broadcast starting with the pre-game show at 7 and the play-by-play at 7:30.
Friday, February 1, 2013
A January to remember
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5 comments:
Notice how the rockets took off when your buddy MJohnston got hurt and they played the crap out of Severson. As Severson goes so does the rockets!
Johnston got hurt in January did he? Hmm.Funny how he played in all 14 games and had 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points. It turns out to be his most productive offensive month ever.
I see a team that started 10-5 trying to find it's identity start 10-5. Johnston goes down we go on a 18-2 run. So ya, we did go on a run in November/December, Trust me I know when Johnston is playing I listen to your broadcasts and you seem to think he a a reincarnation of Eddie Shore.
Yep, I think he is a pretty valuable player to this team. Won't hide that fact. Colton Sissons valuable? Rockets lost him too and still won games.
Good Point Sissons is clearly very valuable and we were 9-1 without him b/c MJ was imjured before and our team developed tons of confidence in our D and there ability to make plays. Severson, Wheaton, Martin, Bowey and Lees all have the patience and skill to make plays thus when they began to take up the ice time our scoring went up and we went on a huge run.
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