Sunday, November 9, 2014

Goal-Bourne has giddyup in his game

Tyrell Goulbourne - Shoot the Breeze Photography
  • When he skates, he scores. Seems like a simple concept in the game of hockey right? Tyrell Goulbourne showed early he had a little extra jump in his step Saturday night. The 20 year-old then promptly went out and scored three times in the second period in the Kelowna Rockets 5-0 win over the Vancouver Giants. Goulbourne, who sat out Friday's game with a suspension, was emotionally vested in the game and it made for a completely different player from what we saw Wednesday night when the Edmonton resident was almost invisible. Saturday night though, Goulbourne was a force and was full marks for his second career hattrick and first star status at games end.
  • When Goulbourne is at his best, he displays his unmatched speed. Goulbourne can fly in a straight line and chasing down loose pucks on the penalty kill is fun to watch. Goulbourne's intensity level was so high that he even asked Giants d-man Mason Geertzen if he wanted to fight in the third period. The 19 year-old wisely turned down Goulbourne's offer. Too many things were going Goulbourne's way and Geertzen knew it was best to avoid the  physical battle.  
  • I am not sure what the future holds for 18 year-old goaltender Michael Herringer, but it will be a night to remember for the Comox, BC resident. Named the games second star, Herringer stole the show in the first period with some brilliant saves. The one he made against Giants leading scorer Joel Hamilton was one of many brilliant stops in a first period, where the Rockets could have been down 2-0 heading into the intermission. Because of Herringer's strong play, it was scoreless after the opening 20.
  • You could argue the Rockets could have been in a huge hole early in the game had it not been for timely saves by Herringer. I thought the Giants deserved a better fate. Hockey is a cruel sport though, where momentum can change in an instant. Goals from Goulbourne and Rourke Chartier 20 seconds apart early in the second period and it was essentially lights out for the visitors.
  • I thought Joe Gatenby had a strong game. The second year defenceman ended the night with a +4 rating and had an assist and a fight. A fight? Gatenby, who rarely drops his gloves, got involved with Giants forward Jackson Houck. The 19 year-old Houck, surprisingly can throw them. Why then does he only have 13 penalty minutes this season? Houck should be a 100 penalty minute man, bringing scoring and grit to his game. That makes for a more attractive player. Coming into last night's game, Houck had just 8 penalty minutes.
  • Assistant Coach Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard did a tremendous job during head coach Dan Lambert's absence at the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in Ontario. In six games, the Rockets were 5-0-1-0 with 11 out of a possible 12 points earned. If you asked me, Lambert needs to buy those two a drink. Coffee of course!!
  • Colton Heffley was a healthy scratch. That is never a good sign for a 20 year-old.
  • The Rockets have scored a league high 94 times. Only the Erie Otters have scored more goals in the Canadian Hockey League. Erie has scored 98 times, but in two fewer games.               

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