The Noose Tightens

• For the first time this season the Kelowna Rockets faced a pressure packed game, and the end result was not pleasing to the coaching staff. Up for grabs was 4th place in the Western Conference, and the Seattle Thunderbirds took it away without a fight, in a dominating 5-2 win Friday night.
• The T-Birds scored four of their five goals off the rush, much to the dismay of Rockets head coach Ryan Huska, who was not pleased with his forwards lackluster effort in enabling the T-Birds several odd man rushes.
• The T-Birds pin-point passing and speed was a killer Friday night. The Birds top five point getters got into the action offensively while Lindsay Nielsen was stellar defensively, including taking away a scoring chance on an apparent breakaway by Rockets forward Brady Leavold. Leavold broke in all alone, only to see Nielsen come from no-where to knock the puck off of Leavold's stick.
• This game lacked physical play, which played into the hands of the speedy T-Birds. Just one penalty was called over the first 40 minutes before penalty trouble resulted in four power plays for the Rockets in the final 15 minutes of the game. But by then though the home team was down 5-2, so the game was essentially out of reach.
• T-Birds forward Jim O'Brien, I beg for your forgiveness. Throughout the game I called him Doug O'Brien. The reason? Doug O'Brien was a defenseman with the Gatineau Olympiques in the 2004 Memorial Cup in Kelowna.
• Colin Long had an assist last night, keeping two points up on Mark Santorelli of the Chilliwack Bruins for the WHL points lead. It was Long's first point against the T-Birds in 8 career games.
• Long now has 90 points. Last years WHL leading scorer, Zach Hamill, had 93 points. Long has 64 assists, 3 more than Hamill had all of last season.

Rockets Game Notes vs. T-Birds

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets and T-Birds are meeting for the third of just four times this season. The Rockets are 1-1-0-0 against Seattle. In the Rockets lone win, October 6th in Seattle, Dylan Hood scored the game winning goal in a 4-3 shootout victory. One night earlier, in Kelowna, the T-Birds earned a 4-1 victory. Following tonight’s game these two teams will close out the seasonal series March 1st in Seattle. If the playoffs were to begin tonight the Rockets and T-Birds would meet in round one. The Rockets are coming off a 2-1 road loss in Spokane Tuesday night. Colin Long had the lone goal for Kelowna. In the big picture the Rockets enter tonight’s game with three wins in their last ten games (3-5-0-2). After tonight’s game the Rockets host Vancouver Saturday night before facing the Giants at Pacific Coliseum Sunday afternoon for a 5 o’clock start.

Rockets vs. Seattle Breakdown: Torrie Jung and Kristofer Westblom have split the duties in goal in the first two games of the seasonal series. Westblom made 18 saves in the shootout win October 6th while Jung took the loss making 20 saves in a 4-1 setback October 5th. The Rockets have been out-shot in both games for a combined total of 61-40. The Rockets are 2 for 14 in the seasonal series (14.3%) on the power play while the T-Birds are 3 for 14 (21.4) with the extra man.

Rockets-Seattle Scoring:
1 2 3 OT SO Total
Rockets 2 2 0 0 1 5
Seattle 4 1 2 0 0 7

Quick Hits: WHL leading scorer Colin Long has never recorded a point against the T-Birds. Long has 0+0=0 in 7 career games against Seattle…Long is playing in his 150th WHL game tonight…The Rockets have scored a power play goal in 8 straight games. The last time the Rockets failed to score a power play goal was January 26th when they went 0/2 in a 4-3 shootout loss in Medicine Hat….The Rockets have scored 24 goals in their last 8 games. Of those 24 goals, 13 (54%) of the teams goals have been scored on the power play….The Rockets are 6-2-0-0 in their last 8 home games…Rockets forward Jamie Benn will miss his 9th straight game tonight with a sprained ankle. The Rockets are 3-4-0-1 in his absence…James McEwan is missing his 22nd game tonight with a lacerated wrist suffered in a fight in late December against the Vancouver Giants. McEwan is expected to return to the lineup next weekend against either Spokane or Seattle… Torrie Jung has started 9 of the Rockets last 11 games….The Rockets have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the 16th time in franchise history. The team has missed the playoffs just once in 17 years…The Rockets have 5 road games left, with stops in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Tri City…The Rockets snapped a six game losing streak in the shootout Saturday night with a 3-2 win over Edmonton. The Rockets are 3 and 6 in the shootout this season with wins over Edmonton, Seattle and Vancouver. The Rockets have lost shootout games to Kamloops (twice), Moose Jaw (twice), Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. The Rockets have been held to a single goal 3 times at home and 6 times on the road this season. The Rockets have been shutout twice this year.

Who’s Hot-Who’s Not: Colin Long is +29 this season. Last year Long was -29. Long has 3 goals and 4 assists in his last four games. Long’s longest pointless streak this season is just three games. Brady Leavold has 2+5=7 in his last three games. Leavold has three-5 point games in his last 12. Brandon McMillan has one goal in his last 12 games. Cody Almond has goals in two of his last three games. Tyson Barrie has 2+6=8 in his last 8 games. Barrie has 37 points this season in his first year in the WHL. For comparison, Shea Weber had 18 pts as a 17 year-old while Mike Card had 29 points as a 16 year-old. Josh Gorges had 10 points as a 16 year-old. Lucas Bloodoff has points in 5 of his last 6 games (5+2=7).

Games Played Ticker:
Brady Leavold: 188 Colin Long: 149 Dylan Hood: 100 Tyler Myers: 121
Cody Almond: 148 Brandon McMillan: 114 Myles MacRae: 173
Kyle St. Denis: 56 Evan Bloodoff: 116 Tysen Dowzak: 155
Lucas Bloodoff: 127 Luke Schenn: 177 Colin Joe: 236

Rockets vs. Divisions:

vs. BC: 18-10-0-2 vs. US: 6-6-2-0 vs. Central: 4-2-0-1 vs. East: 5-3-0-2
Rockets Players by Province: BC=12 US=4 ALB=3 SASK=2 MAN=1 EURO=1 Total=23

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:
Feb 23 vs. Vancouver Rockets 1 Kamloops 2 SOL
Feb 24 @ Vancouver Rockets 1 Chilliwack 4 L
Feb 27 vs. Spokane Rockets 8 Brandon 2 W
March 1 @ Seattle Rockets 3 Oil Kings 2 SOW
March 2 @ Portland Rockets 1 Spokane 2 L

Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-1-0 0-1-1-0 1-1-0-0
October: 11 5-5-0-1 3-3-0-1 2-2-0-0
November: 13 9-2-1-1 4-1-0-0 5-1-1-1
December: 12 6-4-0-2 2-1-0-0 4-3-0-2
January: 13 10-2-0-1 8-0-0-0 2-2-0-1
February: 11 2-4-0-1 2-2-0-0 0-2-0-1

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:
Most Goals Scored: 11 @ Prince George Jan 11/08 in an 11-1 win.
Most Goals Allowed: 9 vs. Lethbridge February 1/08 in a 9-4 loss.
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Chilliwack Feb 2/08 in a 6-3 loss, @ Swift Current Jan 25/08. The Rockets were 0/11, losing 4-0.
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Cougars Jan 11/08 (11-1 W), vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win, @ PG Nov 10/07 (6-1 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 4 @ Vancouver Dec 29/07 (5-2 L), @ Everett Sept 29/07
Most Shots Taken: 41 @ Prince George Jan 12/08 (5-2 W).
Fewest Shots Taken: 9 @ Vancouver Sept 29/07 (5-0L)
Most Shot Allowed: 48 @ Vancouver Sept 30/07
Fewest Shots Allowed: 13 vs. Blazers Oct 30/07 (6-1 W)
Last Shutout: - Kristofer Westblom 22 saves vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win. Kristofer Westblom 28 saves vs. Calgary (5-0 W)
Last Time Shutout: - @ Swift Current Jan 25/08 – Guggenberger 30 saves (4-0 L)
Most Points by a Player: Jamie Benn had 2+4=6 vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Most Goals by a Player: Brady Leavold scored 4 goals vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Penalty Shots: Dylan Hood fails to score Feb 16/08 in a 3-2 shootout win vs. Edmonton. Juuso Puustinen fails to score on Torrie Jung Feb 8/08 in a Rockets 2-1 shootout loss to the Blazers. Lucas Bloodoff fails to score on Justin Leclerc in 4-3 loss to Kamloops December 28th. Torrie Jung stops Bruins forward Cody Smuk in a 4-1 win in Chilliwack Dec 31/07. Torrie Jung stops Hawks forward Luke Walker Nov 17/07 in a 4-1 win in Portland. Kristofer Westblom stops Everett’s Shane Harper in a 3-2 overtime loss Nov 16/07 in Everett. Torrie Jung stopped Michal Repik in the 3rd period of a 5-0 loss Sept 29/07.
Overtime Winning Goal: Jamie Benn scored at 4:59 December 15/07 in a 3-2 win in Saskatoon. Tyler Myers scored at 3:58 of overtime December 5/07 in a 4-3 win over Medicine Hat. Colin Long scored at :44 of overtime Nov 23/07 in a 7-6 win over Kootenay. Jamie Benn scored at 1:07 of overtime Nov 2/07 in a 3-2 win over Chilliwack.
Shootout Game Winning Goals: Dylan Hood scores in a 4-3 win in Seattle October 6/07. Colin Long scored the game winner in a 2-1 win over Vancouver October 24th.

Roster Stats:
Player total: 24
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 3 Westblom, McEwan, Leavold
19’s – 3 Dowzak, MacRae, Joe
18’s – 8 Long, Kytnar, L. Bloodoff, Jung, Schenn, Almond, Benn
17’s – 6 St. Denis, E. Bloodoff, McIntosh, Myers, McMillan, Hood
16’s – 4 Bowman, Barrie, Paradis, Verdino
Average Age: 17.7
Rookies – 7

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Torrie Jung (Tampa Bay 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Milan Kytnar (Oilers 07), Tysen Dowzak (Tryout Philadelphia).

Game Notes Compiled by Regan Bartel (AM 1150)

Scarred for Life

That's the wrist of Rockets captain James McEwan. I took the picture Tuesday before leaving with the team for Spokane. The scar on McEwan's wrist is the result of two arteries cut from the skate of Giants enforcer Garet Hunt in a fight December 29th. McEwan says he will be back in the lineup next weekend, likely against Spokane or Seattle. It's been a long wait. McEwan has missed 21 games with the laceration.
You likely wouldn't have noticed this at Prospera Place but many Okanagan kids are well aware of what it's all about. These next two pic's are the back of the seats of six season ticket seats on the opposite end of Manhattan Point Restaurant, purchased by former Rockets Shea Weber and Scott Hannan. Those six seats are donated by Hannan and Weber enabling kids from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters to attend games this season.

Timing of No Tie-Down Terrible

• With the Rockets holding a slim 1-0 lead heading into the third period of Tuesday's game in Spokane, the Chiefs were looking for momentum. I don’t think they necessarily got it when Spokane’s leading scorer Drayson Bowman elected to fight his younger brother Collin just 10 seconds into the third. Both players did a good job of not hitting each other in the face, with the majority of the blows directed at the shoulder/upper arm area. That said, a fight 4 second after the Bowman brother’s bout did have a significant impact on the game.
• Rockets forward Brady Leavold got involved in a scrap with Spokane’s Dustin Donaghy. The spirited tilt saw Leavold’s jersey eventually pulled over his head, and the overage was not only given a five minute major for fighting but a ten minute misconduct for an improper tie down. So in essence Leavold was lost for 15 minutes, or the majority of the third period. On a team that is already shorthanded without Jamie Benn (ankle), Lucas Bloodoff (suspension) and James McEwan (wrist), losing a 25 goal man in a one goal hockey game had a huge impact.
• Why Leavold wasn’t using a tie-down is beyond me. If anyone on the Rockets is bound to get into a scrap isn’t Leavold the odds on favorite? Did he forget? If he in fact did, you can bet that won’t happen again this season.
• Whether Leavold should have fought Donaghy is up for debate. Leavold plays on emotion, was challenged, and accepted the invitation to dance. What Leavold will have to learn is he is far more valuable on the ice than in the box, and Donaghy goated him into a fight that took him off the ice in a one goal game. Even if Donaghy didn’t win the fight, it is clearly advantage Spokane.
• Torrie Jung was terrific Tuesday night. Jung made some tremendous saves and can’t be faulted for either of the two goals he gave up. While Chiefs goaltender Kevin Armstrong was named the games #1 star, I reversed the order on the post game show giving Jung first star status. He was clearly the better of the two goaltenders, win or lose. If he continues to play like that, it should answer the question of who is the Rockets number one goaltender.
• It was only the third time this season the Rockets have lost after leading after 40 minutes. The Rockets are now 25-3-1-2 when having the lead after two periods.
• As stated earlier, forward Lucas Bloodoff didn’t see action in this one after he was suspended for one game for a five minute major for boarding against Edmonton Saturday night. Without Bloodoff, Myles MacRae saw time on the power play, and responded with a solid game.
• The Rockets are now 0-3-0-0 against the Chiefs this season, with all three losses by a single goal. The two teams conclude the seasonal series February 27th in Kelowna.
• The Rockets are now winless in 6 straight road games (0-5-0-1) with their last win coming in January over the Prince George Cougars. The Rockets will try to get back in the win column on the road when they visit the Giants in Vancouver Sunday night.

Bloodoff Won't Play

Rockets forward Lucas Bloodoff has been suspended for one game after a boarding major against Edmonton Saturday night. Bloodoff won't be in the lineup when the Rockets are in Spokane tonight.

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets and Chiefs are meeting for the third time this season. The Rockets are 0-2-0-0 after back-to-back one goal losses to Spokane way back in October. In fact the Rockets played the Chiefs twice in their first 11 games of the regular season. The Rockets suffered a 2-1 loss at home before falling 4-3 October 20th in Spokane. Following tonight’s game the two teams will wrap up the four game seasonal series at Prospera Place on February 27th. The Rockets enter tonight’s game having won two straight, after a 3-2 shootout win against the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday night. Tyson Barrie scored the game winner. The Rockets won two of three games on a three game homestand including a 8-2 victory over Brandon Thursday night. The only loss came in a 4-1 setback to Chilliwack February 9th. In the big picture the Rockets enter tonight’s game with three wins in their last nine games (3-4-0-2). After tonight’s game the Rockets play three of their next four games on home ice including a date with Seattle on Friday night.

Rockets vs. Spokane Breakdown: Torrie Jung has played both games in goal against the Chiefs this season. Jung made 25 saves in a 2-1 loss October 13th and made 24 saves in a 4-3 loss October 20th. The Chiefs have out-shot the Rockets in both meetings this season, or by a combined total of 55-41. The Rockets are 2/10 in the seasonal series on the power play while the Chiefs are 4/10 with the extra man.

Rockets-Spokane Scoring:
1 2 3 OT Total
Rockets 0 4 0 0 4
Spokane 2 1 3 0 6

Quick Hits: The Rockets have lost 4 straight games in Spokane. The Rockets were winless this season and suffered two losses and a shootout loss in Spokane last season. The Rockets last win at the Spokane Arena was February 8, 2006 in a 4-1 win. Kristofer Westblom was named the games first star in the victory. Tory Bodie, Clayton Bauer, Alexander Edler and Kirt Hill scored for the Rockets in the win…Kristofer Westblom is 6-2-1-0 in 9 career games against the Chiefs dating back to the 2004-2005 season…Rockets forward Jamie Benn will miss his 8th straight game tonight with a sprained ankle. The Rockets are 3-3-0-1 in his absence…Torrie Jung has started 8 of the Rockets last 10 games….The Rockets have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the 16th time in franchise history. The team has missed the playoffs just once in 17 years…The Rockets have 5 road games left, with stops in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and Tri City…The Rockets snapped a six game losing streak in the shootout Saturday night with a 3-2 win over Edmonton. The Rockets are 3 and 6 in the shootout this season with wins over Edmonton, Seattle and Vancouver. The Rockets have lost shootout games to Kamloops (twice), Moose Jaw (twice), Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. The Rockets have been held to a single goal 3 times at home and 5 times on the road this season. The Rockets have been shutout twice this year.

Who’s Hot-Who’s Not: Colin Long is +29 this season. Last year Long was -29. Long has 2 goals and 4 assists in his last three games. Brady Leavold has 2+4=6 in his last two games. Leavold has three-5 point games in his last 11 games. Brandon McMillan has one goal in his last 11 games. Cody Almond has goals in back-to-back games. Tyson Barrie has 2+6=8 in his last 7 games. Barrie has 37 points this season in his first year in the WHL. For comparison, Shea Weber had 18 pts as a 17 year-old while Mike Card had 29 points as a 16 year-old. Josh Gorges had 10 points as a 16 year-old. Lucas Bloodoff has points in 5 of his last 6 games (5+2=7).

Games Played Ticker:
Brady Leavold: 187 Colin Long: 148 Dylan Hood: 99 Tyler Myers: 120
Cody Almond: 147 Brandon McMillan: 113 Myles MacRae: 172
Kyle St. Denis: 55 Evan Bloodoff: 115 Tysen Dowzak: 154
Lucas Bloodoff: 127 Luke Schenn: 176 Colin Joe: 235

Rockets vs. Divisions:

vs. BC: 18-10-0-2 vs. US: 6-5-2-0
vs. Central: 4-2-0-1 vs. East: 5-3-0-2

Rockets Players by Province: BC=12 US=4 ALB=3 SASK=2 MAN=1 EURO=1 Total=23

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:
Feb 22 vs. Seattle Rockets 3 Chilliwack 6 L
Feb 23 vs. Vancouver Rockets 1 Kamloops 2 SOL
Feb 24 @ Vancouver Rockets 1 Chilliwack 4 L
Feb 27 vs. Spokane Rockets 8 Brandon 2 W
Rockets 3 Oil Kings 2 SOW
Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-1-0 0-1-1-0 1-1-0-0
October: 11 5-5-0-1 3-3-0-1 2-2-0-0
November: 13 9-2-1-1 4-1-0-0 5-1-1-1
December: 12 6-4-0-2 2-1-0-0 4-3-0-2
January: 13 10-2-0-1 8-0-0-0 2-2-0-1
February: 11 2-3-0-1 2-2-0-0 0-1-0-1

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:
Most Goals Scored: 11 @ Prince George Jan 11/08 in an 11-1 win.
Most Goals Allowed: 9 vs. Lethbridge February 1/08 in a 9-4 loss.
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Chilliwack Feb 2/08 in a 6-3 loss, @ Swift Current Jan 25/08. The Rockets were 0/11, losing 4-0.
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Cougars Jan 11/08 (11-1 W), vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win, @ PG Nov 10/07 (6-1 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 4 @ Vancouver Dec 29/07 (5-2 L), @ Everett Sept 29/07
Most Shots Taken: 41 @ Prince George Jan 12/08 (5-2 W).
Fewest Shots Taken: 9 @ Vancouver Sept 29/07 (5-0L)
Most Shot Allowed: 48 @ Vancouver Sept 30/07
Fewest Shots Allowed: 13 vs. Blazers Oct 30/07 (6-1 W)
Last Shutout: - Kristofer Westblom 22 saves vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win. Kristofer Westblom 28 saves vs. Calgary (5-0 W)
Last Time Shutout: - @ Swift Current Jan 25/08 – Guggenberger 30 saves (4-0 L)
Most Points by a Player: Jamie Benn had 2+4=6 vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Most Goals by a Player: Brady Leavold scored 4 goals vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Penalty Shots: Dylan Hood fails to score Feb 16/08 in a 3-2 shootout win vs. Edmonton. Juuso Puustinen fails to score on Torrie Jung Feb 8/08 in a Rockets 2-1 shootout loss to the Blazers. Lucas Bloodoff fails to score on Justin Leclerc in 4-3 loss to Kamloops December 28th. Torrie Jung stops Bruins forward Cody Smuk in a 4-1 win in Chilliwack Dec 31/07. Torrie Jung stops Hawks forward Luke Walker Nov 17/07 in a 4-1 win in Portland. Kristofer Westblom stops Everett’s Shane Harper in a 3-2 overtime loss Nov 16/07 in Everett. Torrie Jung stopped Michal Repik in the 3rd period of a 5-0 loss Sept 29/07.
Overtime Winning Goal: Jamie Benn scored at 4:59 December 15/07 in a 3-2 win in Saskatoon. Tyler Myers scored at 3:58 of overtime December 5/07 in a 4-3 win over Medicine Hat. Colin Long scored at :44 of overtime Nov 23/07 in a 7-6 win over Kootenay. Jamie Benn scored at 1:07 of overtime Nov 2/07 in a 3-2 win over Chilliwack.
Shootout Game Winning Goals: Dylan Hood scores in a 4-3 win in Seattle October 6/07. Colin Long scored the game winner in a 2-1 win over Vancouver October 24th.

Roster Stats:
Player total: 24
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 3 Westblom, McEwan, Leavold
19’s – 3 Dowzak, MacRae, Joe
18’s – 8 Long, Kytnar, L. Bloodoff, Jung, Schenn, Almond, Benn
17’s – 6 St. Denis, E. Bloodoff, McIntosh, Myers, McMillan, Hood
16’s – 4 Bowman, Barrie, Paradis, Verdino
Average Age: 17.7
Rookies – 7

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Torrie Jung (Tampa Bay 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Milan Kytnar (Oilers 07), Tysen Dowzak (Tryout Philadelphia).

Game Notes Compiled by Regan Bartel (AM 1150)

Schulz Signs with Moose

The Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, announced they have signed defenceman David Schulz from the Texas Wildcatters to a pro tryout contract.

Schulz, 22, has played in 28 games so far this season with the Wildcatters where he’s scored four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 24 penalty minutes. The Winkler, MB native also appeared in nine playoff games with the CHL’s Memphis Riverkings last year where he collected two penalty minutes. Schulz played five seasons and 302 career games in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos, Saskatoon Blades, and Spokane Chiefs. In that time, he scored 23 goals and 71 assists for 94 points and 433 penalty minutes.

Schulz was originally drafted by the Canucks in the eighth round, 254th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• While overager Kristofer Westblom has started the last two games in goal, look for Torrie Jung to get the nod when the Rockets visit the Chiefs in Spokane Tuesday. Westblom has registered back-to-back wins, yet for my money he simply does not look comfortable.
• Here is part two of a conversation with former Rockets Head Coach Marc Habscheid. http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0328.MP3&nid=668980&
• Gregg Drinnan did a great job last week with his in-depth article on the 25 most powerful people in the WHL. I think he may have missed one person on that list though - himself. Speak to any coach or media person who covers this league and no one will question who the authority is when it comes to the inner workings of teams across the league. Drinnan is well connected and well respected across the WHL. Some even fear him for what he might write about them. If you don't think other GM's and coaches across the league don't look at his blog for all the 'dirt' on others, you are fooling yourself. Drinnan is one person who has power at his finger tips with a stroke of the keyboard.
• I once again applaud Anne Fowler at the Tri City Herald for conducting the Best of the West poll. Again some interesting results, and some no brainers. I was surprised that Giants goaltender Tysen Sexsmith was regarded as the most overrated player in the conference. Many believe that if Sexsmith played on a team that didn't focus on defense, he would be lit up like a Christmas tree. Sexsmith has company when it comes to those doubting his play. Kelly Guard was given the same treatment when he backstopped the Rockets to a Memorial Cup title in 2004. Both Sexsmith and Guard have something those naysayers don't have. A Memorial Cup ring.
• Here is the audio of the conversation with Edmonton Oil Kings Assistant Coach Rocky Thompson. I love the confident swagger he has about him. http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0336.MP3&nid=668977&
• Speaking of the Oil Kings, it was great to meet up with A.J Jakubec after Saturday's game. A.J and I teamed up as the voices of the Rockets during the 2000-2001 season. Jakubec always had a passion for play-by-play, yet that season he waited his turn and played the role of the color analyst. Now he's calling games in the WHL, and enjoying every minute of it.

Shootout Success...Finally!

• The Rockets were involved in their 9th shootout game of the season, and after six straight shootout losses, Tyson Barrie scored the game winner in the teams 33rd win of the season. The Rockets are 3 and 6 this season in the shootout. The Rockets have shootout wins over the Oil Kings, Vancouver and Seattle. The Rockets have suffered losses in the shootout to Moose Jaw (twice), Medicine Hat, Kamloops (twice) and Lethbridge.
• Three of the Rockets four shooters scored in the shootout. While Barrie was credited with the game winner, Brady Leavold and Colin Long also scored. Three of the Rockets four shooters who scored were right hand shots. Cody Almond was the only one to miss with a left hand blade.
• Oil Kings goaltender Alex Archibald was very good in this one. Archibald was steady, making some nice saves when the Rockets threatened late in the 2nd to make it 3-1. Instead it was just a one goal game before the Oil Kings found the equalizer 14 minutes into the third.
• Lucas Bloodoff was booted out of this game after a five minute major penalty in the second period for boarding. While the fans didn't like the call, Oil Kings forward Brent Raedeke was down for several minutes before skating slowly off the ice. Raedeke stayed in the game while Bloodoff had an early shower.
• I still love the one referee system. Matt Kirk called a great game Saturday night. Rockets fans won't agree considering the Rockets were given 27 minutes in penalties compared to the Oil Kings 12, but Kirk was right on the money the majority of the night.
• It was great to run into Rocky Thompson before the game. The Oil Kings assistant coach was one of my favorite interviews when he played junior in Medicine Hat and Swift Current, and he again didn't disappoint in a pre-game chat. I will post the interview here on Sunday, as our chat revolved around fighting. Thompson and I don't know each other well, but he and I were with the Broncos back in the 1996-97 season. Thompson was acquired along with Josh Green from the Tigers that year in a lopsided trade that would never be pulled off today. Thompson was the heavy weight champion when he played junior in the mid 90's, and like so many tough players on the ice, he's a class act off it.
• Oil Kings forward Brett Breitkreuz must have been licking his chops when he was on the ice surface in overtime. How sweet would it have been for him to score the game winner against his old team? I thought maybe he'd get a chance in the shootout, but the coaching staff elected to keep him on the bench as a spectator.
• How about the Prospera Place ice crew's ability to quickly clean the ice for the shootout? Unbelievably quick.Wow! It was as painful as a root canal when the Rockets were involved in a shootout game in Kamloops earlier this month. The ice crew at Prospera made 3 passes, and it was game on. Now that's the way it should be done.

Rockets Game Notes vs. Oil Kings

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets are playing game three of a three game homestand tonight. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Spokane Tuesday before hosting the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night. The Rockets are coming off an 8-2 home ice win over Brandon Thursday night. Brady Leavold had two goals and three assists in the win, snapping a two game home ice losing streak. The two teams were scoreless after one period before the Rockets exploded for six goals in the second period. Colin Long had a goal and three assists in the team’s 32nd win of the season. The Rockets enter tonight’s game with two wins in their last eight games (2-4-0-2). After tonight’s game the Rockets play 4 of their next 7 games on the road.

Rockets vs. Expansion Teams: When it comes to success against expansion teams, the Rockets results have been mixed. Last season the Rockets lost 3-1 to the expansion Chilliwack Bruins. In 2003 the Rockets were a 3-2 winner over the then expansion Everett Silvertips. In 2001 the Rockets earned a 3-3 tie in their first meeting ever against the Vancouver Giants. During the 1996-97 season the Rockets faced the expansion Edmonton Ice. It was February 15/97 when the Rockets earned a 7-5 win. The game - in Kelowna - saw the Ice take a 5-1 lead into the third period before the Rockets would score 6 unanswered goals in the final 10:32 of the final frame. Brett McLean led the way with two goals and three assists. Aaron MacDonald made 20 saves for the Rockets in goal while Jordon Landry had a goal and an assist in the loss for the expansion Ice.

Rockets Explode for Six: The Rockets scored 6 goals in the second period of Thursday’s 8-2 win over Brandon. It marks the third time this season the Rockets have scored six goals in one period. The Rockets scored six times in the first period in an 11-1 road win in Prince George January 11th. The Rockets also scored 6 goals in the second period of a 9-2 home ice win over Portland January 23rd.

Kruiser is Back in K-Town: His nickname is ‘Kruiser’ with the Edmonton Oil Kings, yet Rockets fans know him as Brett Breitkreuz. Breitkruez was acquired from the Rockets by the Oil Kings in the WHL expansion draft. Breitkruez played 58 games with the Kelowna Rockets last season, scoring 8 goals and collecting 14 points. Breitkruez made his WHL and Kelowna Rockets debut September 29/06 in Everett and got into a fight that night with Kyle Beach. The Springside Saskatchewan resident scored his first WHL goal October 18/06 against the Prince George Cougars. Breitkreuz was the Rockets 2nd round pick in the 2004 WHL draft. Breitkreuz was taken 20 players after Rockets d-man Luke Schenn was selected in the opening round.

Quick Hits: Rockets forward Jamie Benn will miss his 7th straight game tonight with a sprained ankle. The Rockets are 2-3-0-1 in his absence…Torrie Jung has started 8 of the Rockets last 9 games….The Rockets have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the 16th time in franchise history. The team has missed the playoffs just once in 17 years…The Rockets have 6 road games left, with stops in Chilliwack, Vancouver, Spokane, Seattle, Portland and Tri City…The Rockets have lost 6 times in the shootout this season. That’s a league high shared with Moose Jaw and Edmonton…The Rockets have been held to a single goal 3 times at home and 5 times on the road this season. The Rockets have been shutout twice this year.

Games Played Ticker:
Brady Leavold: 186 Colin Long: 147 Dylan Hood: 98 Tyler Myers: 119
Cody Almond: 146 Brandon McMillan: 112 Myles MacRae: 171
Kyle St. Denis: 54 Evan Bloodoff: 114 Tysen Dowzak: 153
Lucas Bloodoff: 126 Luke Schenn: 175 Colin Joe: 234

Rockets vs. Divisions:

vs. BC: 18-10-0-2 vs. US: 6-5-2-0
vs. Central: 3-2-0-1 vs. East: 5-3-0-2

Rockets Players by Province: BC=12 US=4 ALB=3 SASK=2 MAN=1 EURO=1 Total=23

Rockets Schedule - Next 5 Games: Rockets Results - Last 5 Games:
Feb 19 @ Spokane Rockets 4 Lethbridge 9 L
Feb 22 vs. Seattle Rockets 3 Chilliwack 6 L
Feb 23 vs. Vancouver Rockets 1 Kamloops 2 SOL
Feb 24 @ Vancouver Rockets 1 Chilliwack 4 L
Feb 27 vs. Spokane Rockets 8 Brandon 2 W

Record by Month:
Month Games Record Home Road
September: 4 1-2-1-0 0-1-1-0 1-1-0-0
October: 11 5-5-0-1 3-3-0-1 2-2-0-0
November: 13 9-2-1-1 4-1-0-0 5-1-1-1
December: 12 6-4-0-2 2-1-0-0 4-3-0-2
January: 13 10-2-0-1 8-0-0-0 2-2-0-1
February: 11 1-3-0-1 1-2-0-0 0-1-0-1

Rockets Season Highs and Lows:
Most Goals Scored: 11 @ Prince George Jan 11/08 in an 11-1 win.
Most Goals Allowed: 9 vs. Lethbridge February 1/08 in a 9-4 loss.
Most Power Play Chances: 11 @ Chilliwack Feb 2/08 in a 6-3 loss, @ Swift Current Jan 25/08. The Rockets were 0/11, losing 4-0.
Most Power Play Goals Scored: 4 @ Cougars Jan 11/08 (11-1 W), vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win, @ PG Nov 10/07 (6-1 W)
Most Power Play Goals Allowed: 4 @ Vancouver Dec 29/07 (5-2 L), @ Everett Sept 29/07
Most Shots Taken: 41 @ Prince George Jan 12/08 (5-2 W).
Fewest Shots Taken: 9 @ Vancouver Sept 29/07 (5-0L)
Most Shot Allowed: 48 @ Vancouver Sept 30/07
Fewest Shots Allowed: 13 vs. Blazers Oct 30/07 (6-1 W)
Last Shutout: - Kristofer Westblom 22 saves vs. Cougars Jan 4/08 in a 6-0 win. Kristofer Westblom 28 saves vs. Calgary (5-0 W)
Last Time Shutout: - @ Swift Current Jan 25/08 – Guggenberger 30 saves (4-0 L)
Most Points by a Player: Jamie Benn had 2+4=6 vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Most Goals by a Player: Brady Leavold scored 4 goals vs. Prince George Jan 19/08.
Penalty Shots: Juuso Puustinen fails to score on Torrie Jung Feb 8/08 in a Rockets 2-1 shootout loss to the Blazers. Lucas Bloodoff fails to score on Justin Leclerc in 4-3 loss to Kamloops December 28th. Torrie Jung stops Bruins forward Cody Smuk in a 4-1 win in Chilliwack Dec 31/07. Torrie Jung stops Hawks forward Luke Walker Nov 17/07 in a 4-1 win in Portland. Kristofer Westblom stops Everett’s Shane Harper in a 3-2 overtime loss Nov 16/07 in Everett. Torrie Jung stopped Michal Repik in the 3rd period of a 5-0 loss Sept 29/07.
Overtime Winning Goal: Jamie Benn scored at 4:59 December 15/07 in a 3-2 win in Saskatoon. Tyler Myers scored at 3:58 of overtime December 5/07 in a 4-3 win over Medicine Hat. Colin Long scored at :44 of overtime Nov 23/07 in a 7-6 win over Kootenay. Jamie Benn scored at 1:07 of overtime Nov 2/07 in a 3-2 win over Chilliwack.
Shootout Game Winning Goals: Dylan Hood scores in a 4-3 win in Seattle October 6/07. Colin Long scored the game winner in a 2-1 win over Vancouver October 24th.

Roster Stats:
Player total: 24
Year by Year Breakdown:
20’s – 3 Westblom, McEwan, Leavold
19’s – 3 Dowzak, MacRae, Joe
18’s – 8 Long, Kytnar, L. Bloodoff, Jung, Schenn, Almond, Benn
17’s – 6 St. Denis, E. Bloodoff, McIntosh, Myers, McMillan, Hood
16’s – 4 Bowman, Barrie, Paradis, Verdino
Average Age: 17.7
Rookies – 7

NHL Draft Picks-Training Camp Attendees: Jamie Benn (Dallas 07), Torrie Jung (Tampa Bay 07), Cody Almond (Minnesota 07), Milan Kytnar (Oilers 07), Tysen Dowzak (Tryout Philadelphia).

Game Notes Compiled by Regan Bartel (AM 1150)

Luke Has Last Laugh

• The game between the Rockets and Wheat Kings featured the Schenn brothers meeting for the first time. It was older brother Luke who had the last laugh in Kelowna's lopsided 8-2 home ice win. Luke Schenn had two assists in the victory while Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn was held off the scoreboard.
• While Brayden Schenn didn't exactly impress, his 23 goal season as a 16 year-old can not be overlooked. If you compare him to former Seattle Thunderbirds forward Patrick Marleau, the Saskatoon resident isn't far behind. Marleau had 32 goals as a 16 year-old. Marleau had 72 points in his rookie season back in 1995-96, just 14 more than Schenn has collected this season. Marleau left the WHL after just two seasons. The Wheat Kings are all about developing players, but are hoping Schenn doesn't follow a similiar path as Marleau, who bolted for the NHL at the tender age of 18.
• Here is my conversation with Wheat Kings GM/Coach Kelly McCrimmon on Brayden Schenn. http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0329.MP3&nid=667620&
• The Rockets erupted for a 6 goal - second period in the route. It was the third time this season the Rockets have scored 6 times in a period. The Rockets scored 6 times against Prince George in the first period of an 11-1 romp and managed to score 6 times in the second period of a 9-3 win over the Portland Winter Hawks.
• Brady Leavold had 2+3=5 while Colin Long had 1+3=4 in the victory. Cody Almond also chipped in with a goal. The top three point getters on the Rockets scored the opening three goals of the game. Leavold, Long and Almond were a combined +9.
• Lucas Bloodoff is the hottest Rocket. Bloodoff extended his point streak to five games with two goals and a fight. While his tilt with Brandon's Jay Fehr was as lopsided as the game was, it was Fehr's first WHL fight. The second year forward had just 12 penalty minutes entering last night's game, so to see him involved with Bloodoff in the late third period scrap was a surprise.
• The Wheat Kings lost overage defenseman Daryl Boyle early in the game with an undisclosed injury. That only made matters worse after 30 goal man Tyler Dittmer sat this one out with what is expected to be a broken knuckle, after a slash the night before in an overtime win in Vancouver.
• Kristofer Westblom wasn't overly tested in this one, but the overage goaltender played well enough to get the start Saturday against Edmonton. The Rockets coaching staff would like to ride with the hot goaltender, but it sure is nice if both Westblom or Jung are on the top of their game.
• After the 8 goal outburst, the Rockets are again the highest scoring team in the WHL. The Rockets have scored 215 goals this season, two more than the Tri City Americans.
• The win moves the Rockets five points up on Seattle for 4th place in the Western Conference. The T-Birds have two games in hand. Home ice is crucial for any team taking part in this years playoffs where no one will face a weak sister in the opening round.
• Jamie Benn skated for the first time Thursday since he sprained an ankle in practice. Benn admitted that it was a little tender. It appears that Benn is still a week or so away from giving it a try in a game situation.

Trying to Dethrone a King - A Wheat King That Is!

• It's Luke vs. Brayden as the Schenn boys face one another tonight at Prospera Place. It's not the first time a Kelowna Rockets player has faced his brother this season. Rookie d-man Collin Bowman faced his older brother Drayson when the Rockets and Spokane Chiefs clashed earlier this season. Those two guys go at it again Tuesday in Spokane.
• Brayden Schenn has 23 goals in his first season in the WHL. Does that bother his older brother Luke, considering the elder Schenn has just 10 career goals over three seasons? Brayden is a forward, so his goal totals should be higher than his defensive minded older bro.
• How impressive is Brayden Schenn's goal total? Former Rockets forward Justin Keller had 25 goals in his rookie season. Keller was 17 at the time, a year older than Brayden.
• The Rockets are playing game two of a three game home stand tonight. The Rockets host Edmonton Saturday night. The Rockets are meeting the Wheat Kings for the second time this season. These two teams met December 12th with the Rockets earning a 5-4 win. Colin Long (2+3=5) and Jamie Benn (2+2=4) led the way for the visitors, who managed just 18 shots on goal. Kristofer Westblom made 32 saves in the win. The Wheat Kings made a visit to Prospera Place last season, beating the Rockets 7-1 on October 28th. Luke Schenn scored the lone goal for the Rockets in that game while Torrie Jung gave up all seven goals in the lopsided loss. The Rockets are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Chilliwack Bruins Saturday night. The Bruins scored the first four goals of the game before Tyson Barrie’s power play goal gave the home side reason to cheer. The loss extended the Rockets winless streak to 4 games (0-3-0-1), with the team’s last win coming January 30th in a 5-1 home ice victory over Everett.
• What hasn't been noticed this season is only one Rockets player has dressed for all 57 games. Who is it? Colin Long. It appears he's making up for lost time after suffering from mono in his rookie season two years ago.
• What's impressive is former Rockets forward Justin Keller didn't miss a game in three seasons with the Rockets from 2003-2006.
• I spoke with former Rockets team Captain Tyler Spurgeon Wednesday. The often injured Spurgeon is again sidelined, this time with a concussion. //www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_0326.MP3&nid=666876&

Speaking Candidly with Marc Habscheid

It was a pleasure to chat with Marc Habscheid on Wednesday. I spent four extremely successful seasons with Habby in the Rockets glory years from 2000 to a Memorial Cup win in 2004. The former Kelowna Rockets head coach is spending this winter in Southwest Saskatchewan, oddly enough out of the coaching racket. But as you will hear in this interview, Habscheid is enjoying the time away from the rink, but shares his thoughts on returning to major junior, and explains to me how close he was to taking a job with the Kelowna Rockets and Portland Winter Hawks this summer. http://www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FZB09.mp3&nid=666222

I will have part two of my interview with Marc Habscheid Friday on this blog. These two interviews will also be featured on our Rockets broadcasts Thursday and Saturday night.