Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Rockets game notes vs. Rebels



Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets open a four game home stand tonight against the Red Deer Rebels. The team hosts Prince George Friday, Edmonton Saturday and Medicine Hat November 16th. This is the first of two meetings between the Rockets and Rebels this season. The Rebels make a return visit February 5th. Last season the Rockets beat the Rebels twice in Red Deer by scores of 3-1 (Oct 24, 2012) and 6-1 (Dec 15, 2013). The Rockets enter tonight’s game riding a four game winning streak, having out-scored the opposition 17-9. The Rockets are coming off back-to-back wins in Prince George last weekend. 

Subway Super Series: Two members of the Kelowna Rockets have been named to Team WHL for the upcoming Subway Super Series. Damon Severson and Madison Bowey will play in one of two games taking place later this month in Red Deer and Lethbridge. This game was held in Kelowna back in 2009. Over the years, Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, Brandon McMillan, Tyson Barrie and Colton Sissons have participated in the game.  

This and That: Eighteen year-old Madison Bowey was named captain of the Kelowna Rockets November 1st….The Rockets have scored 63 goals after fifteen games this season. Last season the Rockets scored 54 goals after fifteen games. That is 9 more goals scored than at this point last season….The Rockets have allowed 39 goals against after fifteen games this season. Last season the Rockets allowed 46 goals after fifteen games, or seven more goals than this season….Jordon Cooke was named WHL Goaltender of the Month for September/October. Cooke was 8-0-0-2 with a goals against average of 1.85…Sixteen year-old rookie forward Nick Merkley was named the CHL and WHL Player of the Week from September 30th to October 6th. Merkley had six points in three games last week including back-to-back two goal games before earning two assists in a 6-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks. Merkley was the Kelowna Rockets first round pick from the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft…Assistant Coach Dan Lambert has been named the head coach for Team West for the World Under 17 Challenge in Cape Breton Nova Scotia December 28-January 5th….. Jordon Cooke is 28-3-0-2 at home in last 33 starts at home dating back to last season…Tyson Baillie turns 18 on November 16th….The Rockets were 7-4-0-1 in 12 games in October last season. This season they were 7-2-0-1 in 10 games…   

Who’s Hot: The Rockets have allowed three power play goals against in their last eleven games. That translates into three goals against in their last 47 kills…Riley Stadel has 7+5=12 points so far this season. Last year as a WHL rookie, Stadel had 11 points through 49 games…Zach Franko has points in eleven of his first fifteen games. Franko has 4+10=14 over that period…Nick Merkley has eight points in his last eight games…Madison Bowey has 2+7=9 in his last ten games….Tyson Baillie has goals in five of his last nine games…Ryan Olsen has 4+8=12 in his last ten games and has points in six of his last seven games.

Milestone Makers:
Severson has 95 career assists – 5 shy of 100.
Tyson Baillie reached the 100 point mark for his career last Friday. Baillie now has 101 points.
Baillie played in his 150th career game Saturday in Prince George.  
Madison Bowey is playing in his 145th career game tonight – five shy of 150.
Colton Heffley is playing in his 187th career game tonight – 13 shy of 200.

Commish Pays a Visit: WHL Commissioner Ron Robison will address season ticket holders during a Q and A discussion tomorrow night at Manhattan Point Restaurant. Robison will be joined on stage by Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton taking questions from the crowd on a number of issues. It is the first time fans have been able to openly ask questions of the Commissioner under this format. The discussion will be moderated by Rockets radio man Regan Bartel. 

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