Game notes vs. Tigers

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets and Medicine Hat Tigers are meeting for the first of just two times this season. The Rockets return the visit when they face the Tigers at the Medicine Hat Arena on February 25^th. These two teams met three times last season with the Rockets going 1-2-0-0. The Tigers out-scored the Rockets 9-5 in the three games. In the lone game at Prospera Place last season, the Tigers were a 5-2 winner (Jan 15/11). The Rockets enter tonight’s game having lost two in a row after winning the first-three games of the season. After tonight’s contest the Rockets play three straight on the road, with two games in Victoria (Fri and Sat) before concluding the weekend Sunday in Kamloops. Kelowna’s next home game is Thursday October 20^th against the visiting Vancouver Giants.

Trading partners; we are not: In the last ten years, the Rockets and Tigers have hooked up on only two trades. Vern Fiddler was traded to the Tigers in his 20 year-old season (2001) before the Rockets acquired defenceman Liam Couture for a 5^th round bantam pick in 2005.

Cody Cruising: Twenty year-old Cody Chikie leads the Rockets in scoring with 4+2=6. Last season after five games Chikie had one assist. Chikie didn’t score his first goal of the season last year until game #11. Chikie had a pair of goals in a loss in Portland. Three of Chikie’s four goals this season have come on the road.

Baillie Blazing: Fifteen year-old rookie forward Tyson Baillie had a four game point streak snapped Saturday in Spokane. Baillie has 2+3=5 to start the season. Baillie leads the team in +/- with a +4. The Fort Saskatchewan resident doesn’t turn 16 until November 16^th.

This and That: While the 12 shots generated in Spokane Saturday night was a season low, the team had just 9 in a loss to the Vancouver Giants on September 29/07. The Rockets had 11 shots on goal against the Everett Silvertips in a game Oct 2/05 and won (3-1)…Shane McColgan has failed to score a goal in 14 straight regular season games (last year included). McColgan went the final ten regular season games without a goal last season and has failed to score in four games this season. McColgan’s last regular season goal came in Calgary on February 26^th. Let’s don’t forget that the 18 year-old led the team in points in last year’s playoffs with 8+11=19 in ten post season games…Adam Brown moved into a tie with Jeff Calvert for second place on the franchise’s all-time games played list in last Friday’s 5-2 loss in Tri City. Calvert appeared in 152 games as a member of the Tacoma Rockets in 1991-94. Brown also has 152 appearances. The franchise leader is Kevin Swanson, who played in 167 games in 1998-2001…Adam Brown earned his 88^th career win last Wednesday against Tri City. Brown is the franchise leader in that category surpassing Kelly Guard’s 83 career wins…The Rockets were 1-4-0-0 after five games last season…The Rockets have scored 18 goals in five games this season after scoring just nine goals in their first five games one season ago…The Rockets have allowed twenty goals against in five games this season after giving up seventeen goals in the first five games last season….The Rockets acquired 18 year-old Myles Bell from the Regina Pats September 22/11 for 19 year-old Colton Jobke, a 2^nd round pick and 5^th rounder….Second year forward Jason Siebert will miss the first half of this season after his broken wrist didn’t heal properly. Siebert missed the final 48 regular season games and the playoffs last season. The Abbotsford product was the team’s first overall pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft….The Rockets are playing their 1446^th regular season game tonight and will hit the 15 hundred mark when they host Red Deer on February 18^th…Seven of the Rockets first twelve games are on the road…Ten of the Rockets first 15 games are against BC Division rivals…Ryan Huska has 161 wins behind the Rockets bench…Brett Bulmer has played two regular season games with the Minnesota Wild, picking up one assist. Bulmer had 18 goals as an 18 year-old forward last season.

Can the Rockets outdo Saskatoon and Red Deer?

It was November 19, 2002 when the Western Hockey League governors announced that the Kelowna Rockets would be awarded the honor of hosting the 2004 Memorial Cup. The announcement was made by Commissioner Ron Robison at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum. Kelowna beat bids that year from Calgary, Lethbridge and Vancouver.
Now, on October 12, 2011 - some 9 years later - the Rockets again submit a bid to league governors in Calgary to host the 2013 tournament.
Standing in their way this time are the Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Rebels.
Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton will be joined by Committee Chairman Paul Mitchell, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd, Head Coach Ryan Huska and SW Audio President Cal McCarthy.
The Rockets will be the first of three teams to present to the governors with the bid at 1 o'clock Calgary time.

Breaking bread with Bob Tory

Rockets are thankful

Ouch!

Bartel, Regan

What would have happened had it gone in? Kelowna Rockets defenceman Damon Severson fired a shot from the blue line less than 30 seconds into the game that beats Spokane goaltender Mac Engel but hits the goal post. Had that shot gone in, would the fortunes of

4:20 AM

What would have happened had it gone in?
Kelowna Rockets defenceman Damon Severson fired a shot from the blue line less than 30 seconds into the game that beats Spokane goaltender Mac Engel but hits the goal post. Had that shot gone in, would the fortunes of the Rockets have been any different then what we witnessed Saturday night in a lopsided 5-1 loss? Instead of scoring, the Rockets deflated like a balloon with 800 holes in it in arguably their worst effort of the young season.
After enjoying a three game winning streak heading into the weekend, the Rockets will be eating Thanksgiving turkey with a two game losing streak.

This one was hard to watch. No jump. No energy. No urgency and an extremely low battle level. The Chiefs were the better team in all facets of the game. But on this night, it was more of the Rockets being 'off' as it was the Chiefs being razor sharp. No question the Chiefs deserve credit for the one sided score, but the visitors made life easy for Spokane.

12. That's the number of shots the Rockets registered in the entire game. Three of those were recorded in the first period, with five coming in the third when the Chiefs let off the gas pedal.

Without question the Chiefs were the more physical team. Just ask Rockets import Filip Vasko, who was on the receiving end of two big hits. Even skilled Spokane d-man Brenden Kichton got into the act. After bull dozing Zach Franko, teammate Shane McColgan had seen enough and dropped his gloves in a third period scrap.

Cody Chikie scored the lone Rockets goal with a nice shot over the glove hand side of Mac Engel. It was Chikie's fourth goal of the season and extended his point streak to a career high five games.

The coaches were again pleased with the efforts of rookie Tyson Baillie. In a game where few showed up to battle, the 15 year-old was again working hard for the common good of the team.

The Rockets scratched 20 year-old Kevin Smith. Unhappy with his early season play, the coaches sent a clear message that they want more from the five year player. We will see Wednesday if it paid off.

Perfect record erased

Bartel, Regan

Adam Brown was solid. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the majority of his team-mates. The 20 year-old goaltender stood on his head and made quality saves look routine as the Kelowna Rockets fell 5-2 Friday night to the Tri City Americans. The loss was

1:48 AM

Adam Brown was solid. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the majority of his team-mates. The 20 year-old goaltender stood on his head and made quality saves look routine as the Kelowna Rockets fell 5-2 Friday night to the Tri City Americans. The loss was the Rockets first of the season after starting the schedule with three consecutive wins.

Again, a fairly decent start by the Rockets in this one. Cody Chikie opened the scoring with a power play goal before the Americans responded with one of their own after Shane McColgan was fingered to the penalty box for charging. The Rockets out-shot the Americans 14-13 in the opening frame.

I am not sure what happened in the first intermission, but the Americans came out flying in the second period and scored two quick ones to take a 3-1 lead. Using their speed and determination, the Americans built up a 4-1 lead before the second period was 8 minutes old. It appeared the rout was on until Rockets d-man Myles Bell's innocent shot from the blue line beat Am's goaltender Eric Comrie between the legs. That made it a 4-2 score heading into the third period. A solid push in the third period by the Rockets and we had ourselves a new game. Unfortunately, the Americans dominated the majority of the third before getting a Mitch Topping goal to put the game on ice. Brown again made some good stops to keep the score from getting out of hand.

When a 15 year-old forward is your best skater it is usually a bad thing. Tyson Baillie was involved and often looked agitated as he chopped his stick several times at American players. Baillie earned an assist in the loss giving him a point in every game he's played this season.

Is a loss a good thing? Any coach will say no, but an early wake up call can't hurt. I don't think a player, especially in junior, realizes how poorly they may be playing until you see a digit in the loss column. How bad can we be when we are undefeated? Now with a loss, it is proof that even a solid goaltending performance can't hide the warts you seem to be overlooking.

The game featured one fight with Jessey Astles squaring off with new comer Lukas Walter. Astles got the take down but Walter caught the Rockets forward with an upper cut that caused the 18 year-old's lip to bleed.

It was my first look at 16 year-old Americans goaltender Eric Comrie. Even though I would have preferred to have seen the Rockets test him, outside of the Bell goal, he looked pretty good. Comrie is still getting his feet wet, which means it will take some time before he blossoms into the goalie the Americans management envisions.

That Brendan Shinnimin is fun to watch. The Americans forward works his tail off at both ends of the ice. He's as responsible at one end as he is at the other. Makes you wonder why he isn't playing pro now? After the solid game, he was involved in an autograph session underneath the stands to the delight of awaiting fans.

Thanks to Doug Love for the solid pic of Adam Brown used on this blog posting.

Road thoughts

A good day of travel as we arrived at the Toyota Centre in preparation for tomorrow night's game against the Americans. With 23 players and staff on board, the mood was light on an off day as the team enjoyed a few movies and watched the end of the Leafs-Canadiens game on the buses satellite system. The game featured Rockets alumnus Josh Gorges against Luke Schenn.

The Rockets need a much improved effort if they hope to extend their winning streak to four games tomorrow night. After capitalizing on several scoring chances in the second period of Wednesday's 4-3 win, that will have to translate into a better all around game, which includes a much stronger third period.

While the Americans scored twice in the third period and dominated play, shot blocking by the Rockets was one of the keys in the one goal win. While the pressure was clearly on the Rockets in the dying seconds, Adam Brown wasn't called upon to make any dramatic saves because his teammates did a good job of getting into shooting lanes.

The defensive core needs a bounce back game tomorrow night. Far to many giveaways and overall soft plays resulted in glorious scoring chances for the Americans. You can't eliminate mistakes against an aggressive team like Tri City, but you can limit them and make them earn every chance they get.

The power play clearly has to be better. It gave up far too many quality chances as the defenceman made poor reads or coughed up the puck. Quick passing and shots from the point are the mantra of the Rockets successful power play. It has to re-emerge tomorrow night.

Donald Trump has bad hair. That statement was as obvious as Adam Brown's first star performance Wednesday night. While clearly the best Rockets player, the media, yes you know who you are, turned a blind eye to his effort and didn't give him the love he strongly deserved. Brown doesn't care, but I do.

For the record, did you know the Rockets are the only team in the WHL without a loss? Ya, it's early, but still an interesting fact none-the-less.

Record remains perfect despite less than perfect effort

• The Kelowna Rockets can thank goaltender Adam Brown for their 3 and 0 start to the regular season. The 20 year-old goaltender, who strangely wasn't given a game star, was the main reason behind a 4-3 win over the Tri City Americans Wednesday night at Prospera Place. Brown made several solid saves in the one goal win. Had Brown been ordinary, the Rockets would have suffered their first loss of the season.



• While Brown faced 32 shots, the quality of the saves he made really stood out. With his club leading 4-1 after 40 minutes, Brown surrendered two goals in the third period on picture perfect shots by Americans d-men Zach Yuen and Michal Plutnar. Of the three goals he allowed, none were anywhere close to being questionable.



• With Americans goaltender Ty Rimmer pulled for the extra attacker, the visitors dominated play inside the Rockets zone and everyone in the building was holding their breath waiting for the dam to break. Surprisingly, despite the territorial advantage, the shots were just 10-3 Tri City at periods end. Despite sending out their top six players to find the equalizing goal, many shots found the shin pad of a Rockets defender or Brown made a good save.



• The Rockets really struggled on the power play. In fact, the best scoring chances for the Americans came while playing shorthanded. The Rockets d-men often bobbled pucks which created no less than two breakaway chances for the visitors. In the end the Rockets were 0 for 4 on the power play and the unit didn't look anything like we witnessed last Saturday when it went 3 for 6 in a 6-3 win over Vancouver.



• I always knew that Americans defenceman Zach Yuen was a good player, but not that good. Outside of Brown, Yuen was the best player on the ice. While scoring twice with two picture perfect shots over the glove of Brown, Yuen could have had the hat-trick had it not been for a solid stop by Brown on a Yuen back hand in the second period.



• Brendan Shinnimin and Adam Hughesman didn't disappoint. The two-20 year old forwards were used without hesitation by Americans head coach Jim Hiller. Like the Rockets used Tyson Barrie in every situation last season, Hiller went to those two players time and time again to get back in the game. It would have been interesting to find out how much ice time those two players logged.



• As one sided as the third period was, the Rockets were no pushover in the first-two frames. Two of the goals were the result of crashing the net and beating the Americans to rebounds. Colton Sisson's third goal of the season was the result of goaltender Ty Rimmer appearing to play the pass. Overall, I didn't think Rimmer did his team a lot of favors.



• While it was a rough night for the Rockets defensive core, I liked the play of MacKenzie Johnston. While he picked up two assists, his overall play in his own zone was significantly better than his teammates.



• Tyrell Goulbourne joins teammate Carter Rigby as two Rockets that have registered Gordie Howe hat-tricks this season. Goulbourne assisted on Spencer Main's second period goal and then scored his first of the season about five minutes later. To complete the period, he got into a scrap with Am's rookie Lukas Walter.
  

Rockets game notes vs. Americans

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets host the Tri City Americans in the first of four meetings between the two teams this season. The Rockets will play the Americans three times in their next 24 games. The two teams collide Friday night at the Toyota Centre before meeting again November 30^th at Prospera Place. The seasonal series closes December 29^th in Kennewick. These two teams met four times last season with the Rockets winning twice and losing twice. The Rockets out-scored the Americans 10-9 in those four games. Three of the four games were decided by a single goal. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Tri City Friday before making a stop in Spokane on Saturday. The Rockets return home to host the Medicine Hat Tigers next Wednesday October 12^th. Overall, the Rockets have won their first two games after victories over Everett (5-4 SHW) and Vancouver (6-3 W).

Rigby Rock’n and Roll’n: Seventeen year-old Carter Rigby had his first career three point game (2+1=3) in Saturday’s 6-3 home ice win against the Vancouver Giants. It was Rigby’s third career goal after scoring as a member of the Prince George Cougars during the 2009-2010 season. The Rockets were 3 for 6 on the power play with defenceman Damon Severson earning a goal and two assists. Colton Sissons, Zach Franko and Cody Chikie added singles. Adam Brown, in his second consecutive start, made 29 saves in the win.

Watch These Two: Americans 20 year-old forwards Adam Hughesman and Brenden Shinnimin have had success against the Rockets over the years. Shinnimin has 3+11=14 in 12 career regular season games against the Rockets while Hughesman has 5+8=13 in 15 career regular season games.

This and That: Adam Brown appeared in his 150^th career WHL game Saturday night against Vancouver. Brown is closing in on Jeff Calvert for second place on the franchise’s all-time games played list. Calvert appeared in 152 games as a member of the Tacoma Rockets in 1991-94. The franchise leader is Kevin Swanson, who played in 167 games in 1998-2001…Adam Brown earned his 87^th career win Saturday against the Giants. Brown is the franchise leader in that category, surpassing Kelly Guard’s 83 career wins…The Rockets were 0-2-0-0 after two games last season…The Rockets have scored 11 goals in two games this season after scored just five goals in their first-two games one season ago…The Rockets have allowed seven goals against in two games this season after giving up ten goals in the first two games last season….The Rockets own the third best power play in the WHL with five goals on 14 chances (35.7%)…The Rockets acquired 18 year-old Myles Bell from the Regina Pats September 22/11 for 19 year-old Colton Jobke, a 2^nd round pick and 5^th rounder….Second year forward Jason Siebert will miss the first half of this season after his broken wrist didn’t heal properly. Siebert missed the final 48 regular season games and the playoffs last season. The Abbotsford product was the team’s first overall pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft….The Rockets are playing their 1443^rd regular season game tonight and will hit the 15 hundred mark when they host Vancouver on October 20^th…Seven of the Rockets first twelve games are on the road…Ten of the Rockets first 15 games are against BC Division rivals…The American flavor on this year’s team includes Adam Brown from Yorba Linda, California, Shane McColgan from Hermosa, California and Colten (Cole) Martin from Arlington, Texas…The Rockets acquired 17-year-old Penticton native Carter Rigby from the Prince George Cougars on September 3^rd. The Rockets picked up Rigby ('94) along with a conditional sixth round WHL bantam draft pick in exchange for a third round bantam draft pick in 2012…Tonight is the Rockets 578^th regular season home game in Kelowna….433 of those games have been played at Prospera Place…Ryan Huska has 160 wins behind the Rockets bench.

Wild scout on Bulmer's status

Things that make me go hmm...

• I was asked numerous times on Sunday during my kids soccer jamboree about what I think of the 2011-2012 Kelowna Rockets. I always speak with caution because frankly I still don't really know how good or bad this team will be. It would be easy for me to say, "Oh, they are great" after just two wins, but I've seen many a team get off to a good start only to fall on their faces. Give me until the 20 game mark with all the pieces of the puzzle in place and then I will freely share my opinion. Until I know if Brett Bulmer returns and the status of the the 20 year-old situation, to declare the team as a formidable force would be careless.
• Speaking of upgrades at the overage spot, you have to applaud Cody Chikie's early offensive production. Two goals in two games does not go unnoticed. Again, a 20 year-old in this league has to be an impact player. He can't sit around idly by and make a small contribution to the teams overall success. When the Rockets missed the playoffs back in 2006-07, do you remember who the overage players were? If you can't, don't feel bad, because it again showed how little impact they made on a team that fell to the bottom of the BC Division.
  
• Just to think, five seasons ago the Rockets were dead last in the BC Division with 22 wins. Now they can admire the BC Division banner which was raised high into the rafters at Saturday's home opener.
• How many wins will be needed this season to claim a BC Division title? Since 2001-2002, when the league formed the BC and U.S Division, the average win total for the first place finisher has been 48 victories. Over the ten years of the existence of the BC Division, the lowest total of wins to capture the crown was Kamloops' 38 in 2001-2002. The best record over that period was Vancouver's amazing 57 wins in 2008-2009. More amazing is the Giants were beaten by the Rockets in the Western Conference final despite having 21 fewer points in the standings.
• The opening ceremonies Saturday night went off without a hitch outside of one small detail. The video commentary with Gord and I on the big screen didn't exactly go as planned. I was assured by the video people that my mic was working, but upon further review, on playback my mic was off resulting in a rather one sided conversation where only Gord's words were audible. Many onlookers in the press box let me know that I have never sounded better!
• What does 20 year-old Neil Manning mean to the Vancouver Giants? Ask Don Hay. Lopsided losses in Kamloops and Kelowna will tell you the story.
• Cody Almond's injury at Minnesota Wild training camp is one of the reasons why Brett Bulmer is still in the NHL in early October. Almond has had a back ailment for a while now and word is he could be out a month. The Rockets alumnus was expected to make the Wild's opening day roster but now finds himself on the trainers table. Bulmer now gets his chance to play.
• It was mentioned in the building when he scored, but Carter Rigby's first goal of the season Saturday night was not his first WHL goal. The 17 year-old scored his first goal as a member of the Prince George Cougars in a game last season against the Everett Silvertips.
• Speaking of Rigby, does any magical scoring power come with wearing sweater #11? Geordie Wudrick wore it last season and Colin Long had the number prior to that. Not to be outdone, Jesse Schultz and Carsen Germyn also wore #11.
• A solid crowd of 62 hundred took in Saturday's home opener. It will be interesting to see what the number is like for a mid-week Wednesday game against the Tri City Americans. The good news is the Americans are projected to be one of the front runners in the Western Conference again this season, so hockey fans have no reason not to attend that game.
• Speaking of the Americans, it will be interesting to watch 16 year-old goaltender Eric Comrie. Essentially anointed the #1 duties with the trade of Drew Owsley to Prince George, Comrie was the Americans first round pick (13th overall) in the 2010 draft.
  

Dynamic forward back in W-H-L

Rigby no ordinary rookie

• When I asked readers of this blog to vote on which rookie they were most excited about watching this season, Carter Rigby received a significant number of votes. If Saturday night's home debut was any indication, the 17 year-old is going to become a fan favourite. Rigby scored twice, added an assist and got into a first period fight in a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Giants. The Penticton resident, who was acquired in a WHL trade with Prince George prior to the start of the regular season, played along side Shane McColgan, who chipped in with three assists as the Rockets improved to 2 and 0 on the season.
  
• Defenceman Damon Severson had a goal and two assists in the win. Severson had three-two point games last season. The 17 year-old's rifle from the blue-line opened the scoring. Two of Severson's three points came on the power play yet he was also guilty of giving up the puck which resulted in a shorthanded goal by Jordan Martinook.
• The Rockets scored four times in the second period to take a 5-1 lead into the third. The lopsided score had the home team come out flat while the Giants roared out of the gates to make it a two goal game before Rigby's second of the game put things out of reach for the visitors.
  
• The Giants dominated the third period with 18 shots on goal. The Rockets only had three.
• Forward Jessey Astles had a solid fight with Giants enforcer Wes Vannieuwenhuizen. Astles threw some hard punches that the 19 year-old was able to handle courtesy of a solid chin.
• Giants forward Brendan Gallagher had a terrific effort considering his day started at 1:45 am BC time when he left Montreal. Arriving at around noon in Kelowna, the 19 year-old had a pre-game nap before rejoining his junior team after participating in five pre-season games with the Montreal Canadiens. Gallagher scored once, hit a post and had two other quality chances to score but was denied by Rockets goaltender Adam Brown.
• The defensive core contributed seven assists in the win. Severson, Myles Bell and Kevin Smith each had two helpers.
  
• Sixteen year-old Jesse Lees earned his first career point, an assist, on Rigby's second period goal.
• Rookie Tyson Baillie earned an assist, giving him points in every game he's played this season. Baillie has an 8 game point streak if you include his six game streak in pre-season plus his two game point streak during the regular season.
  
• The Rockets raised a BC Division banner to the rafters Saturday night. It was the teams 13th banner since they entered the league in 1991.