Notes, quotes and anecdotes

I like this pic because of the AM 1150 logo behind Draisaitl  

• The recent four game in five night road trip couldn't have come at a better time for the Kelowna Rockets. Spending seven days out on the road really brought this team together. I saw so many good signs of the new players becoming a bigger part of the team and comradery off the ice will go a long way into jump starting this team on the ice. It already has. Leon Draisaitl was joking around with teammates and coaches and players gravitating to a rather comical Chance Braid is another indication that the walls that were built up when new faces enter the dressing room are slowly coming down. If you like each other off the ice the chemistry on it will undoubtedly improve. That is exactly what we saw in wins against Lethbridge and Kootenay. The longer the trip went the better the team looked.
• Despite all the talent, don't expect them to steam roll over teams. This is a competitive league where the opposition is fighting for a good playoff run or are literally fighting for their playoff lives. Best of all, the 22 team's play with pride and passion and no game is a given without maximum effort. 
• How good has Leon Draisaitl been? The 19 year-old hasn't skipped a beat with 7 goals and 10 assists in 11 games. In only two, a home ice loss to Seattle and a shootout loss to Edmonton, has Draisaitl been held off the score sheet. By comparison, Mikael Backlund had 5+8=13 in his first 11 games with the Rockets in 2008-2009 after coming to the team following the World Junior Hockey Championships. Backlund's transition would have been tougher considering he was getting used to the WHL and the North American ice surface. Draisaitl is familiar with both. 
• I hate when I read that the Rockets have punched their ticket to the WHL final. That is such a farce. No team is guaranteed playoff success no matter what players make up a team's roster. Even the best team's can be eliminated if they aren't careful. In 2009, the Calgary Hitmen were the team to beat after a 59 win regular season. The 43 win Kelowna Rockets beat them in 6 games in the league final. As the country song goes, 'There are only three things in life that you can count on....death and taxes and me loving you'. 
• Two Kelowna Rockets are not on Twitter. Joining Rourke Chartier is newly acquired Josh Morrissey. I asked Morrissey why he avoids social media? "I was on Twitter for a couple of years. You can spend a lot of time on it. I thought it became too much and I spent too much time on it. As much as there are great fans on it, there are also fans that don't like you so much (chuckle) and sometimes when you play a bad game you hear about it. I just thought it would affect me negatively.  It has been good for me. I get up earlier now and don't sit around looking at Twitter." For my money, Morrissey could be the best interview in the league. Not only is he articulate but he is a very focused athlete.
• The top three point producers for the Kelowna Rockets in January all had the same totals. Yep, Nick Merkley, Rourke Chartier and Tyson Baillie each had 6+8=14 during the month. Leon Draisaitl had the most goals with seven in 11 games played. 
• Last week in Lethbridge, gas was 75.8 cents a litre. Crazy!!        
• Did I not mention back in December during a radio interview in Portland that the Winterhawks would be crazy to unload their top end players after a tough start to the season? A knee jerk reaction would have had the Winterhawks paying dearly considering they now have one of the best teams in the WHL and will again have a chance to repeat as Western Conference champions. 
• What is going on in Prince George? They beat the Rockets twice at home in December and were flying high in the saddle. In January they couldn't keep the puck out of the net and may miss the playoffs. The Kamloops Blazers have rebounded in a big way after heading into the Christmas break feeling less that confident about their overall play. The Alberta road trip wasn't anything to write home about, but Don Hay has turned the team around and is full marks for distancing themselves from Vancouver and  Prince George.
• After experiencing a shootout twice last week, I sure would like to see 3 on 3 in overtime. They do it in the American Hockey League where they play 4 on 4 for three minutes and then switch to 3 on 3 for the remaining two minutes of the five minute overtime. Here is hoping the NHL adopts it next season. The fewer shootouts the better.   
• The biggest surprise for me in the Rockets/Raiders blockbuster deal is the recent play of Kris Schmidli. The 18 year-old must have come back from the World Junior Hockey Championships a different player? Schmidli has been very good under head coach Marc Habscheid. The Swiss native is likely getting lots of ice time playing in crucial situations, but he was afforded the same luxury here and never embraced it. Schmidli has 5+9=14 in 11 games, which is awfully impressive. He was nowhere near the player when he was wearing Kelowna colours. Maybe he was playing on too good of a team where he felt he couldn't make a contribution and always felt like a second tier player? Last season, Schmidli had only 9 goals in 68 games.    
• The best interview this week goes to Kelowna Rockets second year defenceman Joe Gatenby. The 17 year-old is mature beyond his years and is as focused on the ice as he is in front of the microphone. I asked him about the NHL draft, where NHL Central Scouting has him penciled in as a late pick at best. "It's exciting and an honour to be on that list. It really doesn't matter if I get drafted or if I am on that list again. Even if you are a first rounder, you are a long way from making it to the NHL. I just wanted to get better in practice and in games and I want to help the team win and show up to the rink everyday". Gatenby is rooming with Josh Morrissey. It seems to make sense considering both are focused on the ice and off it. Morrissey is a former WHL Scholastic Player of the Year while Gatenby is a Kelowna Rockets nominee.     
• I think it is safe to say we left the Central Division behind us at just the right time. Mild temperatures greeted the Rockets over the week and the snow didn't start falling until we essentially left Lethbridge Friday night. Even in Cranbrook the temperatures were abnormally warm for late January. Not only did the team avoid old man winter in two separate trips to Alberta/Cranbrook but they earned points in 7 of the 8 games they played out there.
• The team had to pick up its gear from the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer before Wednesday's short trip to Edmonton for evening game. It was interesting to see assistant coach Jeff Truitt running the practice while head coach Brent Sutter was seen watching from high above in one of the luxury suites. 
• I sure like the way Madison Bowey is playing these days. While he isn't seeing his name on the score-sheet that often (no assists in 7 games), the 19 year-old is sticking to solid defense. I like his physical play and imposing his will on oncoming forwards. Right now Bowey is playing winning hockey. Bowey was a +10 in January.  
• Who did I randomly run into in Cranbrook? Former Kelowna Rockets forward Seth Leonard came walking by the broadcast booth during a commercial break and we had a quick chance to say hello to one another. Leonard scored just 28 goals in 133 games with the Rockets before being traded to the Prince Albert Raiders for Jesse Schultz. Leonard would score 50 goals in 2003-2004 while Schultz would find the back of the net 53 times during the 2002-2003 campaign on his way to helping the Rockets earn their first WHL championship. Clearly the trade benefited both players and both team's.        
• I spoke to NHL Central Scouting Alberta based scout Rick Jackson about the play of Rockets forward Nick Merkley. "I really like him. I think he has a great compete level.  He has a good shot and a good release and a good hockey IQ. The game has changed. There is room for guys of his size that have a high compete level and he is one of those guys". 
• The Rockets are looking at setting a new milestone with their next win. It will mark the 11th time in franchise history the team has reached the 40 win mark. The team is sitting at 39 victories this season.  

Road trip builds character/cohesiveness for new group

Leon Draisaitl - Shoot the Breeze Photography

It was a match up Saturday night featuring two of the top three players selected in last summer’s NHL draft. Despite being taken a spot after Sam Reinhart was chosen second overall by the Buffalo Sabres, Leon Draisaitl proved he is just as talented and the Edmonton Oilers hit the bullseye in taking him with the third overall selection. Draisaitl scored once and added an assist in the Kelowna Rockets 5-1 win over the Kootenay Ice. For his efforts, the powerful German was named the game’s first star. Draisaitl now has 7 goals in 11 games with his new junior team, which put the bow on a four game in five night road trip by earning seven out of a possible eight points. In three of the four games Draisaitl was named the first star. 

Another terrific start for the Rockets thanks to an aggressive shorthanded effort that saw Tyrell Goulbourne set up Rourke Chartier for his 41st goal of the season. It was the teams 13th shorthanded goal which matches it's total from one year ago. It was also the first of four consecutive goals for the Rockets in the opening period. The Ice managed a power play goal with 10 seconds left after a soft call for slashing on Cole Linaker in the neutral zone. 

The Rockets had several good looks in the offensive zone in the first, with the majority of its 11 shots of the dangerous variety. None more than Josh Morrissey's smooth stick handling through the Ice defense before getting a back hand shot away that Ice goaltender Wyatt Hoflin was able to barely keep out of the net. Morrissey's tremendous chance came when the score was just 1-0 for the visitors.  

The Rockets didn't have as many chances in the second period to score but Gage Quinney fired a shot to the right corner of the net that Hoflin got a piece of with his glove before deflecting it wide. Quinney was a threat to score throughout the game and now has three goals in two games. The 19 year-old is finding chemistry playing on a line with Tyson Baillie and Dillon Dube. 

Cole Martin is having a career year after scoring his third goal of the season in Saturday's win. Martin has three goals in 49 games. Not bad for a defensive d-man who scored three goals in his first 210 career games.

It should be mentioned that the team played a solid defensive game too. Ice captain Sam Reinhart had his 10 game point streak snapped and he was kept off the board for only the third time this season. Overager Tim Bozon also didn't hit the score-sheet.

Jackson Whistle was steady in goal when called upon in the four goal win. Whistle should have been well rested after getting Wednesday night off in Edmonton and Friday night off in Lethbridge. Jake Morrissey got the start in goal in a 2-1 shootout loss against the Oil Kings before Michael Herringer got the call in a 6-3 win Friday night over the Hurricanes.  

The Rockets end the month of January with a record of 10-2-0-1 in 13 games. That is an impressive mark considering the significant changes with the team and the return of two players from the World Junior Hockey Championships. The world junior hockey hangover plus chemistry issues with the passing of the trade deadline all factored into what could have been a tough series of hurdles to overcome, but at the end of the month an additional 21 points were earned out of 26 that were available. 

The Rockets open a home and home series with the Kamloops Blazers next weekend which should translate into some great games. The Blazers, who are far better than their record prior to Christmas indicated, have really played some inspired hockey as they fight off Vancouver and Prince George for playoff positioning. Look for the Blazers to give the Rockets all they can handle before playing Prince George on February 9th and making a quick stop in Seattle on February 10th. 

Rockets game notes vs. Hurricanes

Shoot the Breeze Photography

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets play game three of a four game road trip tonight with a stop in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes. This is the third and final meeting of the season between the two teams. They met back on October 11^th in Kelowna, with the Rockets scoring a 4-2 win. In the last meeting, December 10^th in Lethbridge, the Rockets earning a 4-3 shootout win. Dillon Dube scored twice and Rodney Southam had a goal and an assist in the victory. Nick Merkley scored the game winner in the shootout. Jackson Whistle made 16 saves. The Rockets surrendered two power play goals by taking 9 trips to the penalty box. The Rockets are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss Wednesday night in Edmonton. Joe Gatenby scored the lone goal in the low scoring affair. The Rockets were 0 for 8 on the power play including seven consecutive chances when the game was tied at one goal apiece. Rookie Jake Morrissey allowed just one goal over 65 minutes. The loss snapped a three game winning streak after opening the trip Tuesday with a 4-3 shootout victory in Red Deer. Madison Bowey, Justin Kirkland and Tyson Baillie scored with Bowey getting the shootout winner. Following tonight’s tilt, the Rockets are in Kootenay/Cranbrook (Saturday). The Rockets next home game is February 6^th against the Kamloops Blazers.        

This and That: The Rockets have been held to just one goal four times this season. Edmonton (road), Calgary (road) Regina (home) and Prince Albert (home) have turned the trick against the highest scoring team in the Western Conference...Nick Merkley has been held off the score-sheet three times in his last eight games. At the start of the season, Merkley was held off the score-sheet just three times in his first 27 regular season games…The Kelowna Rockets have scored the most goals on the road (109) in the WHL this season. That is an average of 4.36 goals per game on opposition ice…The Rockets are still on pace to set a new WHL record for wins on the road in one season. To set a new record (the record is 29 set by Kelowna/Portland) the Rockets must win 9 of their final 11 road games...The Rockets are again rated as the 2^nd best team according to this week’s CHL Top 10 junior rankings….The Rockets have lost only twice in regulation time on the road this season. Those two losses came in Tri City and Calgary...The Rockets have points in 6 straight road games (5-0-0-1)….The Rockets are 49-9-2-1 on opposition ice in the last two seasons….The Rockets have 23 games left in the regular season. Of those 23, eleven will be played on the road with twelve on home ice…The Rockets closed out a five game home stand last Saturday going 3-2-0-0. The team out-scored the opposition 26-17. The Rockets suffered a 5-3 loss to Medicine Hat, a 7-1 win over Tri City, a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Thunderbird, a 5-3 win over the Everett Silvertips and a 9-3 win over the Tips….The Rockets have a league high 20 road wins this season...Justin Kirkland tied his career high with his 17^th goal of the season Tuesday in Red Deer…...The Rockets played 11 games without Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey. The Rockets were 9-2-0-0 in those 11 games.…The Rockets have played in 13-one goal games this season….The Rockets have not been shut-out in 125 consecutive games. The last time the Rockets were held without a goal was March 3, 2013 in a 3-0 loss in Kamloops…Tyrell Goulbourne was named the WHL Player of the Week. Goulbourne tallied seven points (3+4=7) in just two games last weekend, leading the Rockets to two victories over the visiting Everett Silvertips.

Rockets catch eye of NHLCSS: Three members of the Kelowna Rockets made the mid-term rankings for NHL’s Central Scouting Service. Nick Merkley is rated 13^th, Devante Stephens is ranked 108^th and 17 year-old defenceman Joe Gatenby is 134^th among North American skaters. Stephens makes his first appearance on the list after failing to catch the eye of Central Scouting in the preliminary rankings. The 2015 draft will be held June 26-27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.      

Who’s Hot: Madison Bowey has 4+4=8 in his last 7 games…Leon Draisaitl has points in seven of his last nine games. The 19 year-old is 4+8=12 in those nine games…Tyson Baillie has 9+6=15 in his last 15 games….Rourke Chartier has 8+6=14 in his last 12 games…Chartier has points in 16 of his last 20 games…Cole Martin has 14 assists in his last 17 games…Justin Kirkland has 8+11=19 in his last 16 games…Rourke Chartier has 16 more goals (40) than he had all of last season. Chartier has goals in 22 of his last 31 games….Nick Merkley has 6+7=13 in January…Rourke Chartier has 5+6=11 in January…Tyson Baillie has 6+4=10 in January…Rookie goalie Jake Morrissey hasn’t allowed more than two goals per game in all seven appearances this season.        

Win some, lose some but still pick up a point

Josh Morrissey - Shoot the Breeze Photo 

Like a Lamborghini with no fuel in the gas tank, the potential is there to go fast but the high performance sports car remains at a standstill. That would best describe the Kelowna Rockets and a dormant power play in a 2-1 shootout loss last night in Edmonton. The Rockets were given eight, count them eight, power play chances but failed to score on even a single one of them in the setback. Of those eight, seven came consecutively but the Rockets couldn't get a puck past Oil Kings first star selection Tristan Jarry. But this wasn't the Tristan Jarry show folks. This falls on the shoulders of the power play's inability to execute when it mattered. In fact, the more power play time the Rockets were given, including a gift when the Oil Kings were called for too many men late in the third period, the more frustration seemed to creep in. The harder each individual tried, the more fractured the power play appeared to look. Just one, one messily power play goal would have earned the team it's 21st road win of the season, but on this night, even a struggling Oil Kings penalty killing unit was good enough to hold the best power play in the 22 team circuit off the score sheet.

The shootout loss spoiled the return of Leon Draisaitl to Rexall Place. Maybe the distractions for the Edmonton Oilers first round pick were too much? Meeting the Oilers management before game time is one thing, but then essentially getting involved in a media scrum with TV cameras and microphones in his face at 5:20 pm is another. It isn't just a distraction for Draisaitl, but how about his teammates who aren't used to being around this type of media circus? It can be a little unnerving after getting off the bus and trying to prepare for a game with only two hours before puck drop. Draisaitl had some good moments in the first period Wednesday night, but like his teammates, seemed to struggle once the wheels on the power play appeared to wobble.

If the Rockets were guaranteed to score only one goal, my choice wouldn't have been Joe Gatenby to get it. The defensive defenceman would score his first career regular season goal in his 85th career game. As luck would also have it, the Oil Kings tying goal in the second period came from the exact same spot when Rockets goalie Jake Morrissey was beaten to the short side.

Speaking of Jake Morrissey, the rookie goaltender deserved a better fate after a solid performance. Despite struggles with rebound control and sometimes making it look like an adventure, the 17 year-old made several good stops in allowing one goal over 65 minutes. What more can you ask for from a back up goaltender who is given a rare start? Morrissey was named the games third star. Morrissey hasn't been give a lot of run support with in his last two outings after winning 2-1 in a shootout in Kamloops.

I thought it was Chance Braid's best game in a Rockets uniform. The 20 year-old had three to four good scoring chances. Head Coach Dan Lambert must have agreed, promoting Braid to a line with Leon Draisaitl and Rodney Southam. Braid's skill level is a hidden gem. Everybody thinks he can pump opponents, which he can, but he possesses a higher hockey IQ and softer hands than you would think. In my opinion, Braid is the best chip and chase forward the Rockets now have on their roster.

Despite the outcome, it must have been a special night for the Morrissey brothers. Jake was in net while older brother Josh was on the Rockets d-core. It marked the first time the two have ever played a game together. It marked only the third time in Kelowna Rockets franchise history that brothers have played with one another. Gavin and Kiel McLeod and Lucas and Evan Bloodoff are now joined by the Morrissey boys.

Several brothers have played on the Kelowna Rockets but at different times. Jesse and Simon Ferguson and Ryan and Craig Cuthbert are just two examples.

For a second consecutive game, Josh Morrissey hit a goal post only to see it stay out of the net. Puck luck is a little hard to come by for the 19 year-old d-man. That post was struck when the Rockets were enjoying a 5 on 3 for 35 seconds early in the third period.

The loss in a shootout was the first in four attempts this season for the WHL leaders. Up until last night the Rockets were one of only two teams in the WHL without a shootout loss. Now the PA Raiders stand alone.

While it is easy to be negative after a shootout loss, it was still a point in the standings and a three point lead on Brandon for first place overall. Remember too, the Wheat Kings lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Swift Current Broncos - at home - on Tuesday night. Hey, $&$# happens!!

Rockets game notes vs. Rebels

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets open a four game road trip tonight with a stop in Red Deer against the Rebels. This is the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams. These two teams met back on December 17^th with the Rockets earning a 6-3 win. Justin Kirkland scored twice and added an assist in the victory. Jackson Whistle made 25 saves. The Rockets are coming off a 9-3 win Saturday against the Everett Silvertips. Tyrell Goulbourne scored twice and added three assists. The Rockets exploded for five goals in the second period in the lopsided game. The Rockets have won five straight games in Red Deer dating back to the 2009-2010 season. The Rockets last loss in Red Deer was February 27/2009 in a 3-2 setback. Stepan Novotny and Ian Duval scored in the one goal loss as the Rockets fired 43 shots at first star Darcy Kuemper. Following tonight’s tilt, the Rockets are in Edmonton (Wednesday), Lethbridge (Friday), and Kootenay (Saturday). The Rockets next home game is February 6^th against the Kamloops Blazers.        

Lordy, Lordy it’s 40!! Rourke Chartier became the first player in Rockets history to score 40 goals in 40 games Saturday night. The last Rockets player to score 40 goals was Myles Bell back in the 2013-2014 campaign when he responded 42 times. Bell scored his 40^th goal in his 61^st game. Geordie Wudrick scored 43 goals in the 2010-2011 season. Wudrick’s 40^th goal came in his 70th game. Jamie Benn scored 46 times in the 2008-2009 campaign. Benn would score his 40^th in his 50^th game.   

Goulby is WHLPOW: Tyrell Goulbourne was named the WHL Player of the Week. Goulbourne tallied seven points (3g-4a), while posting a plus-five rating in just two games over the past week, leading the Rockets to two consecutive victories in that span. On Friday, January 23^rd, Goulbourne scored the opening goal and set up another in a 5-3 win over the visiting Everett Silvertips. In the rematch on Saturday, Goulbourne contributed with a five-point effort (2g-3a) and finished the game with a plus-four rating while earning first star honours in a 9-3 triumph over the ‘Tips. The 21-year-old from Edmonton has notched 33 points (17g-16a) along with a plus-14 rating in 39 games this season.

Rockets catch eye of NHLCSS: Three members of the Kelowna Rockets made the mid-term rankings for NHL’s Central Scouting Service. Nick Merkley is rated 13^th, Devante Stephens is ranked 108^th and 17 year-old defenceman Joe Gatenby is 134^th among North American skaters. Stephens makes his first appearance on the list after failing to catch the eye of Central Scouting in the preliminary rankings. The 2015 draft will be held June 26-27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.      

This and That: The Rockets have lost only twice in regulation time on the road this season. Those two losses came in Tri City and Calgary...The Rockets are riding a four game road winning streak….The Rockets are 48-9-2-0 on opposition ice in the last two seasons….The Rockets have 25 games left in the regular season. Of those 25, thirteen will be played on the road with twelve on home ice…The Rockets closed out a five game home stand going 3-2-0-0. The team out-scored the opposition 26-17. The Rockets suffered a 5-3 loss to Medicine Hat, a 7-1 win over Tri City, a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Thunderbird, a 5-3 win over the Everett Silvertips and a 9-3 win over the Tips….The Rockets have a league high 19 road wins this season...Justin Kirkland is one goal shy of his career high 17 he scored last season...The Rockets played 11 games without Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey. The Rockets were 9-2-0-0 in those 11 games.…The Rockets have played in 11-one goal games this season. The team is 7-2-0-2 in those games…The Rockets have not been shut-out in 123 consecutive games. The last time the Rockets were held without a goal was March 3, 2013 in a 3-0 loss in Kamloops…Tyrell Goulbourne celebrated his 21^st birthday yesterday.

Who’s Hot: Madison Bowey has 3+4=7 in his last five games…Leon Draisaitl has points in six of his last seven games. The 19 year-old has goals in four of seven games and is 4+7=11 in those seven games……Tyson Baillie has 8+6=14 in his last 13 games….Rourke Chartier has 8+5=13 in his last 10 games…Chartier has points in 15 of his last 18 games…Cole Martin has 13 assists in his last 15 games…Justin Kirkland has 7+10=17 in his last 14 games…Rourke Chartier has 16 more goals (40) than he had all of last season. Chartier has goals in 22 of his last 29 games….Nick Merkley has 6+6=12 in January. 

Three Star Balloting: *Other first star winners are: Leon Draisaitl, Tyrell Goulbourne (twice) and Cole Martin.

Player:                          1^st Star    2^nd Star   3^rd Star   Total 
Rourke Chartier:              6              6              2            14
Jackson Whistle:             7              4              2            13
Nick Merkley:                   5              2              5            12
Tyson Baillie:                   2              5              2             9
Madison Bowey:              2              2              3             7

Walking wounded: 

Tanner Wishnowski: missed 47 games    Mitch Wheaton: missed 43 games

Dillon Dube: missed 25 games                Joe Gatenby: missed 7 games               
Jake Morrissey: missed 6 games.           Justin Kirkland: missed 6 games
Cole Martin: missed 1 game                   Rourke Chartier: missed 1 game.
Total # of games = 163 man games lost to injury and includes departed players. (Unofficial)

Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes

• Sheldon Kennedy was a great junior hockey player. I had the privilege of watching him every step of the way as #12 skated with abandon on the ice as a member of the Swift Current Broncos. But more importantly, Sheldon Kennedy is an inspiration. I know his story. So do you. It is well documented. But I honestly have an even greater appreciation for the man after he spoke to the Kelowna Rockets players at a Canmore hotel last night. I had the privilege of interviewing him afterwards and will share that with you on Tuesday night's broadcast. “If we look at the situation the Kelowna Rockets find themselves in, there is an expectation, a big expectation for them to win", Kennedy told me. "How are you going to respond to that? For me, it was a candid conversation and a chance to share some of my experience, strength and hope”.Kennedy spoke to the players for 30 minutes before opening the floor to questions. Kennedy knows something about adversity. For years he was sexual abused by junior hockey coach Graham James but was able to win a Memorial Cup with the Swift Current Broncos in 1989. “Sometimes when we miss a shift, or we miss a game or we sit out the power play, it almost takes us out. But each guy has to ask themselves how they are going to respond to that”, Kennedy added. Again the entire conversation with Sheldon Kennedy can be heard on our broacast in the 1st intermission Tuesday night from Red Deer.
• Kelowna Rockets Director of Player Personnel Lorne Frey seems to be taking everything in stride after the team gave away a first round bantam pick to the Prince Albert Raiders in the Leon Draisaitl trade. It marked the first time in franchise history the team doesn’t have a first round pick. How does Frey feel about not having that coveted first round selection? “I guess on draft day we can show up after lunch now”, the personable Frey said with a chuckle.
• The NHL and the AHL have skills competitions. Why doesn’t the ECHL? If they did would Myles Bell have won the hardest shooter competion? Shea Weber won the hardest shot competition in the NHL. Bell has one of the hardest shots I've ever seen in junior.
• What does Everett Silvertips head coach Kevin Constantine think of the Rockets? "There is certain competitiveness in each of the players ...that is what I like most about that team. Most people want to talk skill, but the bottom line still is the game is a game of passion and so the compete level at each of the positions is so strong. I think that Rockets team has a chance to play against skilled teams but also against teams big and physical too.”
• Where is Luke Moffatt? Remember him? A first round bantam pick of the Kelowna Rockets in 2007, the resident of Phoenix Arizona never once stepped on Prospera Place ice. Instead, the highly coveted player attended the University of Michigan for four years and was eventually drafted by the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche in the 7^thround in 2010. Where is he now? Moffatt, now 22, is playing professional hockey in Sweden with the Frolunda Indians. Do you ever wonder what would have happened to Moffatt had he chosen the WHL over Michigan and where his hockey career would have taken him? Without question, Moffatt would have received top quality minutes early in his career with the Rockets. High draft picks, specifically first rounders do in Kelowna. Moffatt would have won a WHL championship in 2009. Had Moffatt chosen the CHL, he would have the chance to play 288 regular season games. In the NCAA he played 140 fewer games. But if you asked him, Moffatt would likely tell you he wouldn't have changed a thing. Living with regrets is wasted energy.
• I’ve been asked numerous times if I believe Leon Draisaitl’s heart is truly in winning a WHL championship and a Memorial Cup. My answer is yes. Did you notice the 19 year-olds shot blocking Friday night against the Tips? Did you notice the one shot he took off the side of his arm or rib in the first period of that game? You don’t do that if you are not committed. Did you also notice him track back hard in his own zone against Seattle to negate a good scoring chance? If gifted offensive players have discrepancies in their game it is usually a commitment to defense and Draisaitl falls into that category to a certain degree. He, like other skilled players, seem to be more interested in the offensive zone. But watch the good things he does, especially at the face-off circle, and appreciate the chance to see one of the best players in the WHL wearing Kelowna Rockets colours.
• I liked Kevin Constantine’s approach with his players, specifically when playing four games in five nights. “You would like to make adjustments but the challenge is you don’t want to put too much stress on the thinking process of the players. If you introduce too many things they can get too caught up in those changes and it freezes a bit of your own game. If you can’t practice those things and give those adjustments to a fresh mind there is a fear of over coaching.” I could listen to Constantine talk about coaching all night long. I think he is a smart man and love every interview I conduct with him.
• Rookie Devante Stephens loves making an impact on this year’s edition of the Kelowna Rockets. “In the off-season I had to train hard because the season before I broke my femur. Every day is a day I have to prove I belong here. It’s an honour”, Stephens told colour analyst Gord McGarva before Saturday night's game against the Tips. Stephens was never drafted in the WHL bantam draft but could be taken in the NHL draft after being named to NHL Central Scouting’s mid-term rankings. “It feels real good. You are not expecting this to happen. When it happens you say, wow, people are looking at me. It gives me more confidence going into games.``
• Talk about getting lucky a second time. The Kelowna Rockets arrived in Canmore Alberta last night to warm temperatures. When the bus rolled into town it was a balmy +8. The weather is expected to hold throughout the week. Anything remotely close to the freezing mark is music to our ears. It is expected to hit 15 in Lethbridge tomorrow.

Chartier scores 40th in 40th game in lopisided win

• Rourke Chartier celebrated his 40th goal last night in typical, nonchalant fashion. When the puck went in, Chartier was flat on his back after winning a puck in the corner and cutting hard towards the net and chipping it past startled Tips goaltender Carter Hart. The soft spoken 18 year-old forward wouldn't have had it any other way. No big celebration. No riding his stick at centre ice. Chartier had the right to do it though after becoming the first Kelowna Rockets player to reach 40 goals in just 40 games. The first round bantam pick from 2013 was one of five different goal scorers in the second period in a 9-3 win over the visiting Everett Silvertips. The victory completed a weekend sweep of the Tips in a much anticipated showdown between the two Western Conference leaders.
• How good was Tyrell Goulbourne? The 20 year-old was at his energetic best. After scoring the franchise's 5,000th goal the night prior in a 5-3 win over the Tips, the Edmonton product scored the home teams opening goal and was full marks for being named the game’s first star. Goulbourne's skating, his greatest asset outside of his fists, were on display. The assist he collected on Nick Merkley's second period goal showed off how quick the Philadelphia Flyers draft pick truly is. Goulbourne picked up the puck at his own blue line and zoomed up ice with a great burst of speed before firing the puck in front of the Tips where Merkley simply deflected it open. Goulbourne has been solid since the trade deadline and as head coach Dan Lambert put it, "Goulby is playing the best hockey of his career right now".
•  As mentioned, 16 year-old Carter Hart got the start in goal for the Tips after veteran Austin Lotz was steady in giving up four goals the night prior in a 5-3 loss. Hart gave up 6 goals on 14 shots before being pulled after the Rockets reeled off two goals in a span of 51 seconds.
•  As lopsided as the score was at game’s end, it was 1-1 after 20 minutes and the Rockets enjoyed their first lead when Tyrell Goulbourne scored a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1 four and a half minutes into the second period. 
• I really liked how the Rockets shorthanded unit attacked the Tips when they were on the power play. Goulbourne and Cole Linaker were especially good in being aggressive and winning loose battles for pucks. The Rockets now have 12 shorthanded goals this season. The team had 13 shorthanded goals in 2013-2014 and the same number in 2012-2013.
• The Tips made things interesting when they scored a power play goal at the seven minute mark of the third period to make it a 6-3 game. Head Coach Kevin Constantine elected to pull his goaltender in an effort to get his team within a goal with just over 6 minutes left to play. Sure it backfired with Leon Draisaitl finding the back of the net to make the score 7-3, but I liked the call of the veteran coach. If the Tips score quickly with the goaltender pulled to make it a two goal game, how do the Rockets react as momentum switches towards the Tips? In my opinion is worth the gamble. When you are trailing 6-3 in a game and it's in the third period, it is worth shaking the dice. 
• It was nice to see Josh Morrissey score his first goal in a Rockets uniform. Sure it came late in the game to make the score 8-3, but it was good to see the 19 year-old have some offensive success while putting up a +4 rating. Defensive partner Cole Martin did one better though. Martin was an incredible +6. 

Rockets pay price in two goal win

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• Kelowna Rockets head coach Dan Lambert challenged his team to show him that they were willing to pay a price to win. Mission accomplished. Leon Draisaitl blocked a shot in the first period off his ribs, Tyrell Goulbourne was a horse on the penalty kill and Madison Bowey, who is gifted offensively, took care of his own end first in a 5-3 win over the Everett Silvertips. The individual efforts went far beyond that though. How about Josh Morrissey's  massive hit in the second period and Chance Braid's bone crusher in front of the Tips bench? Even defensive defenceman Cole Martin got into the act by getting into a rare fight when Morrissey was given a rough ride into the end boards. The Rockets were not without their share of errors, but it may have been the team's best effort with this 'new' group. Again, it wasn't all roses, but it was a step in the right direction in becoming a better team.
• I thought it was a terrific start for the Rockets who played significant minutes in the o-zone, specifically in the first period. The only downside was a lack of shots on Tips goaltender Austin Lotz. The Rockets could only manufacture seven shots in the period with Tyrell Goulbourne scoring the franchise's 5,000th goal to open the scoring. I thought Goulbourne had a great game by using his speed both five on five and on the penalty kill. It was nice to see him find the back of the net for the first time in 10 games.
• Despite a lopsided advantage in terms of territorial play, the Tips had at least three great chances to score in the first period. All three were the result of turnovers committed by the home team. Jackson Whistle had a solid game and made several large saves to keep the Tips off the board until a seeing eye wrist shot early in the second period from Everett d-man Ben Betker found the back of the net. In my books Whistle could have been named a star for his quick feet and never give up approach to the game. It was a solid bounce back game for Whistle, who was pulled last Friday in a loss to Seattle.
• Madison Bowey and the entire d-core deserve credit for keeping Tips leading scorer Nikita Sherbak off the board. Bowey in particular did a great job of getting his stick on pucks when the 19 year-old Russian attempted to deliver it to the net. I liked the fact that the Rockets captain played a more 'stay a home' style and concentrated on the defensive side of the game. While he too  was held pointless, the Washington Capitals draft pick was affective. Since his return from the world juniors, Bowey has been terrific.   
• The Tips are an interesting group. At a flick of a switch they seem to be able to generate offense at will. Down by a goal, they would quickly regroup and attack aggressive at the Rockets net. The Tips, playing their third game in four nights, would not relent. They appeared to be fresh in the third period despite playing in Prince George on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Great teams battle no matter the road blocks the schedule maker puts in front of them. The Tips are an elite group.
• The Rockets power play was a bright spot in the two goal win. Despite having only two chances with the extra man, two quick strikes from Rourke Chartier and Tyson Baillie proved that this unit is lethal when given the chance.
• It was the best game Josh Morrissey has played in a Rockets uniform. I thought he was better defensively and chipped in with two assists. Morrissey's hit on Gunner Wegleitner was as good as you will see this season. The Everett forward did not return.
• The good news is these two teams are back on the ice tonight for a rematch. Can it get better than last night? The answer is yes!! 

Rockets game notes vs.Tips

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets play game four of a five game home stand against the visiting Everett Silvertips. This is the second of four meetings between these two teams this season. They meet again tomorrow night at Prospera Place. In the first meeting October 3^rd in Everett, the Rockets earned a 5-4 overtime victory. Cole Linaker scored the game winning goal at the 24 second mark of overtime. Tyson Baillie had two goals in the win. The Rockets are back at Comcast Arena on March 3^rd. The Rockets are coming off a 5-2 home ice loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds last Friday. Nick Merkley and Madison Bowey scored in the team’s 8^th regulation loss of the season. Jackson Whistle was pulled in the third period after giving up four goals on 19 shots. Michael Herringer came into the game in relief and made four stops. The Rockets were 0 for 2 on the power play despite firing 38 shots at the T-Birds net. Following these two games, the Rockets are back on the road this Tuesday for four games in five nights starting against the Red Deer Rebels (Tuesday) before making stops in Edmonton (Wednesday), Lethbridge (Friday), and Kootenay (Saturday). The Rockets next home game after this double header is February 6^th against the Kamloops Blazers.       

Dare to Compare: After 45 games the Rockets have a record of 34-8-3-0. After 45 games last season the team was 37-6-0-2.  The Rockets have scored 192 goals after 45 games. Last season at this point they had scored 193 times. The team allowed 112 goals after 45 games last season. This season the Rockets have allowed 114 goals against.

Rockets catch eye of NHLCSS: Three members of the Kelowna Rockets made the mid-term rankings for NHL’s Central Scouting Service. Nick Merkley is rated 13^th, Devante Stephens is ranked 108^th and 17 year-old defenceman Joe Gatenby is 134^th among North American skaters. Stephens makes his first appearance on the list after failing to catch the eye of Central Scouting in the preliminary rankings. The 2015 draft will be held June 26-27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.
      

This and That: Following these two games against the Tips, the Rockets will have 25 games left in the regular season. Of those 25, thirteen will be played on the road with twelve on home ice…The Rockets are 2-1-0-0 on this five game home stand, having out-scored the opposition 12-11. The Rockets have suffered a 5-3 loss to Medicine Hat, a 7-1 win over Tri City and a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds…The Rockets are just 3-3-0-0 in their last 6 home games….The Rockets started the season with 9 straight wins at Prospera Place…The Rockets have allowed 4 goals or more in five of their six regulation losses at Prospera Place this season. The only game where they didn’t give up 4 or more goals and lost was in a 3-1 home ice setback to the Regina Pats…The teams that have beaten the Rockets on home ice this season are Portland, Regina, Prince George (twice), Medicine Hat and Seattle…The CHL Top 10 rankings again came out this week and the Rockets remain the second best team in the country. Brandon is rated number three while Medicine Hat is number 7. The Everett Silvertips sneak into the top ten at number 10…Former Kelowna Rockets leading scorer Myles Bell was named the MVP in the East Coast Hockey League all-star game Wednesday night. Bell now plays for the Evansville Icemen…Who will score the Kelowna Rockets 5,000^th goal? The next one is the 5,000^th….The Rockets have 769 regular season wins in Kelowna dating back to the start of the 1995-96 season….Justin Kirkland is one goal shy of his career high 17 he scored last season...The opposition has opened the scoring in five of the last eight games…The Rockets played 11 games without Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey. The Rockets were 9-2-0-0 in those 11 games.…The Rockets have played in 11-one goal games this season. The team is 7-2-0-2 in those games…The Rockets are 40-8-1-1 in the last two seasons against teams in the BC Division…The Rockets have not been shut-out in 121 consecutive games. The last time the Rockets were held without a goal was March 3, 2013 in a 3-0 loss in Kamloops.

Who’s Hot: Madison Bowey has 2+4=6 in his last three games…Leon Draisaitl has points in four of his last five games. The 19 year-old has goals in three of five games and is 3+3=6 in those five games……Tyson Baillie has 6+5=11 in his last 11 games….Rourke Chartier has 6+3=9 in his last 8 games…Chartier has points in 13 of his last 16 games…Cole Martin has 11 assists in his last 13 games…Justin Kirkland has 7+10=17 in his last 12 games…Rourke Chartier has 14 more goals (38) than he had all of last season. Chartier has goals in 20 of his last 27 games….Nick Merkley has 4+4=8 in January. 

Three Star Balloting: *Other first star winners are: Leon Draisaitl, Tyrell Goulbourne and Cole Martin.

Player:                          1^st Star    2^nd Star   3^rd Star   Total 
Jackson Whistle:             7              4              2            13
Rourke Chartier:              6              4              2            12
Nick Merkley:                   5              2              4            11
Tyson Baillie:                   1              5              2             8
Madison Bowey:              2              2              3             7

Walking wounded: 

Tanner Wishnowski: missed 45 games    Mitch Wheaton: missed 40 games
Dillon Dube: missed 25 games                Joe Gatenby: missed 7 games               
Jake Morrissey: missed 6 games.           Justin Kirkland: missed 6 games
Cole Martin: missed 1 game                   Rourke Chartier: missed 1 game.
Total # of games = 159 man games lost to injury and includes departed players. (Unofficial)

What if's in Rockets loss

• 'What ifs' may best describe the Kelowna Rockets 5-2 home ice loss last night against the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds. What if Tomas Soustal scores on what looks to be an easy tap-in halfway through the first period when the shots are 11-1 Kelowna? What if Leon Draisaitl's backhand shot in the second period goes in rather than rings off the goal post when the score is 3-1 for the T-Birds? What if Tate Coughlin scores rather than the feed from Joe Gatenby going off his skate and wide of the open net? What if the Rockets don't surrender a soft goal in front of their own net 15 seconds after making it a one goal game on Nick Merkley's 14th of the season? But as the saying goes, if 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas? It sounds like cheap excuses, but frankly missed opportunities played a significant factor in the Rockets 8th regulation loss of the season. The T-Birds were badly outplayed in the first period and didn't manufacture a shot until the midway point of the first period. Thanks to goaltender Taran Kozan, who was named the first star, Seattle was clinging to a 2-0 lead.   
• The best scoring chance for the Rockets in the first period came from Tomas Soustal on a quick developing two on none. Linemate Gage Quinny intercepted a Shea Theodore pass right in front of the T-Birds net and quickly sent the puck to Soustal, who had to kick it from his skates to his stick, only to see Seattle goaltender Taran Kozun make the save. Had Soustal scored, would the complexion of the game turned in a positive way for the home team? Up until that point, Seattle had no business being in the game. That said, the visitors were opportunistic by scoring two goals in 57 seconds to close out the period up 2-0.
• I don't want to take anything away from the T-Birds though. They played a smart game. They relied on their goaltender to make the original save and played an extremely patient and disciplined game. People like to throw sand in the face of T-Birds defender Evan Wardley for his chippy play, but he was smart and composed and didn't play outside of the rules. I thought his composure had a trickle down affect on his team. Rather than playing dirty, Wardley and his teammates knew that taking bad penaties would be hockey suicide. The Rockets had only two power play chances on the night, one in the first and one in the third period. Fans that watched the game will suggest that the T-Birds should have been penalized more, which may be true, but at the end of the day the officials did not play a factor in the loss. The Seattle Thunderbirds earned it. 
• It was a rough night for several players including Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle. The T-Birds scored two goals on 9 shots in the first period. The veteran allowed three goals on four shots before he was eventually pulled by head coach Dan Lambert after Shea Theodore scored a power play goal early in the third period to make the score 4-1. Michael Herringer faced only four shots in relief but did make a nice shoulder save to give his team a chance at a comeback late in the period.
• It was a rough night for Rockets defenceman Josh Morrissey. At the end of the game the 19 year-old is a -4. Again he is on the ice for a empty net goal, but the 19 year-old can play far better than what he has shown in the first three games. If anyone is feeling a 'world junior hockey hangover', Morrissey may be exhibiting the symptoms the most.  Madison Bowey, the Rockets captain, hasn't shown any weakness in his game whatsoever. If anything, Bowey is better upon his return.  
• What I think is happening right now is some players are trying to do too much. I have never seen defensive defenceman Cole Martin up in the rush as much as I've witnessed in the last three games. Martin was seen no less than three times deep in the offensive zone. I can't honestly remember a time in the past that he would venture behind the opposition net.
• I liked the Rockets physical play in the second period when two fights erupted in 20 seconds. Riley Stadel fought Keegan Kolesar and then Tyrell Goulbourne had a lopsided tilt with T-Birds Luke Osterman. The rookie must have had no clue who Goulbourne was because picking a fight with the 20 year-old is ill advised unless you are extremely good with your fists. I was surprised to learn afterwards that it was Osterman's 8th fighting major of the season. He has more tilts this season than Goulbourne does. If Osterman's nose isn't broken, he is a lucky man. Rockets 20 year-old Chance Braid was also involved in a third period fight with Jerret Smith. This one too was lopsided with Smith bleeding and heading off the ice surface for repairs.
• Why isn't T-Birds forward Keegan Kolesar  playing at the Top Prospects Game? Anyone? Anyone?     
• For those that want to jump off a cliff with the Rockets 1 and 2 record since the trade deadline, remember the team was 1 and 4 in its first five games after the trade deadline in 2009.
• For what its worth, the Rockets are now 0-2-1-0 in televised games this season. Last night's tilt was shown to a national audience on Sportsnet. The team also lost to Portland - at home - in November on a Sportsnet game. Sportsnet is covering two more featuring the Rockets on February 20th (in Victoria) and March 20th (in Vancouver). The other loss came on a Shaw game against the Regina Pats.

Rockets vs. Seattle Thunderbirds

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets play game three of a five game home stand against the Seattle Thunderbirds. This is the second of only four meetings between the two teams this season. The Rockets were a 6-4 winner back on October 4^th. After tonight’s game the two teams conclude the seasonal series with games in Seattle (February 10^th) before wrapping up the series at Prospera Place (March 18^th). The Rockets were 1-0-0-1 in only two home games against the T-Birds last season, losing 4-3 in a shootout and winning by a 7-3 score. The Rockets have won five of their last six games following a 7-1 win over the visiting Tri City Americans on Wednesday. Dillon Dube and Rourke Chartier each scored twice in the win, the teams 34^th of the season. Chance Braid, Justin Kirkland and Rodney Southam added singles in the lopsided win. The Rockets scored four-third period goals and ended the night with two power play goals and one shorthanded marker. Following tonight’s game the Rockets host the Everett Silvertips next Friday January 23^rd and 24^th for a rare double header. The Rockets don’t return to the road until January 27^th when they make their second and final visit to Red Deer before making stops in Edmonton, Lethbridge, Calgary and Kootenay to end the team’s final extended road trip of the season.        

This and That: Rookie Dillon Dube has 10 goals in 19 games or on average (0.53) goals per game. If he had played in every game this season and avoided the injury bud, the 16 year-old would have projected to score 23 times on his current pace….By comparison, Nick Merkley scored 25 goals last season as a 16 year-old rookie. Rourke Chartier had 13 goals as a 16 year-old….Madison Bowey collected two assists Wednesday night, giving the 19 year-old defenceman 100 career assists and 150 career points….Jackson Whistle appeared in his 100^th career game Wednesday against the Tri City Americans…The Rockets had 13 different players hit the score-sheet Wednesday night…The seven goals scored Wednesday was the second time the Rockets have put up seven goals on home ice this season. The Rockets were a 7-5 winner over the Vancouver Giants on October 1^st…..Who will score the Kelowna Rockets 5,000^th goal? The team, since re-locating from Tacoma to Kelowna has scored 4,997 times….The Rockets have 769 regular season wins in Kelowna dating back to the start of the 1995-96 season….Justin Kirkland is one goal shy of his career high 17 he scored last season...The opposition has opened the scoring in four of the last seven games…The Rockets played 11 games without Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey. The Rockets were 9-2-0-0 in those 11 games.…The Rockets have played in 11-one goal games this season. The team is 7-2-0-2 in those games. The two-one goal losses in regulation time came against the Portland Winterhawks and Prince George Cougars…Tyrell Goulbourne will play in his 250^th career game tonight against the T-Birds…The Rockets won their 30^th game January 2^nd, marking the 14^th time in the last 15 seasons the franchise has achieved that mark. The only blemish over that stretch was a 22 win season in 2006-2007, the only time they have failed to make the playoffs….The Rockets are 40-8-1-1 in the last two seasons against teams in the BC Division…Nick Merkley will represent the WHL at the Top Prospects game later this month in St. Catharine’s Ontario….The Rockets have not been shut-out in 120 consecutive games. The last time the Rockets were held without a goal was March 3, 2013 in a 3-0 loss in Kamloops…Happy Birthday to defenceman Riley Stadel who turned 19 today…Rockets Head Coach Dan Lambert (Jan 12th) and Assistant Coach Travis Crickard (Jan 11^th) blew out candles a few days ago. Assistant Kris Mallette gets his ‘party started’ on January 19^th…Nick Merkley had 4 assists October 4^th in Seattle….The Rockets are rated as the second best team in Canada according to this week’s CHL Top 10 rankings….  

Three Star Balloting:

Player:                          1^st Star    2^nd Star   3^rd Star   Total 

Jackson Whistle:             7              4              2            13
Rourke Chartier:              6              4              2            12
Nick Merkley:                   5              2              4            11
Tyson Baillie:                   1              5              2             8
Madison Bowey:              2              2              3             7
*Other first star winners are: Leon Draisaitl, Tyrell Goulbourne and Cole Martin.                

Who’s Hot: Madison Bowey has 1+4=5 in his last two games…Leon Draisaitl is riding a four game point streak. The 19 year-old has goals in three of four games and 3+3=6 in four games……Tyson Baillie has 6+5=11 in his last 10 games….Rourke Chartier has 6+3=9 in his last 8 games…Chartier has points in 13 of his last 16 games…Cole Martin has 11 assists in his last 12 games…Justin Kirkland has 7+10=17 in his last 11 games…Rourke Chartier has 14 more goals (38) than he had all of last season. Chartier has goals in 20 of his last 27 games….Nick Merkley has 3+4=7 in January.  

A step in the right direction

Whistle wins in 100th appearance - Shoot the Breeze Photography 

• Rodney Southam had to be grinning from ear to ear after scoring the game winning goal last night against his old team. The only problem was no one was able to see it considering the 18 year-old was wearing a full face shield after a scrap earlier this month against the Vancouver Giants. The former Americans forward scored at the 14:39 mark of the first period in the Kelowna Rockets 7-1 win over the Tri City Americans. Southam spent parts of three seasons with the Americans before being dealt to the Rockets on November 4th for a fifth round bantam pick. It was Southam's second game winning goal of the season and 7th of his career.
• Southam was one of 13 players on the roster to pick up a point in the game. Rourke Chartier and Dillon Dube each scored twice in the team's 34th win of the season. Southam, Justin Kirkland and Chance Braid - with his first goal in a Rockets uniform - scored in the lopsided win. Leon Draisaitl and Madison Bowey each chipped in with two assists.
• Head Coach Dan Lambert elected to put Justin Kirkland with Tyson Baillie and Leon Draisaitl and it worked. Kirkland had a goal and an assist and followed that up with a solid battle level. Baillie ended the night with only one assists but had a strong game.
• I thought Americans goaltender Evan Sarthou made some nice saves despite surrendering 7 goals against. The 17 year-old made a nice toe save early on Justin Kirkland. With number one goaltender Eric Comrie sidelined with an injury, the Black Diamond Washington product faced 35 shots, with many considered as high quality opportunities.         
• Am I the only one that notices that Leon Draisaitl creates on average five good scoring chances a game? Probably not. Either the 19 year-old has the scoring chance himself or he finds a teammate with a glorious pass which is routinely on the tape.   
• It was only the second time this season the Rockets have scored 7 times on home ice. The Rockets were a 7-5 winner over the visiting Vancouver Giants back on October 1st.
• Jackson Whistle earned the win in his 100th appearance in the WHL. The 19 year-old goaltender was sharp by showing off his good glove hand. Oddly, the only goal he surrender was a Brian Williams point shot that beat Whistle to the glove hand side.
• It was nice to see 20 year-old Chance Braid score a goal. Braid found the back of the net with a quick shot while enjoying some rare power play time. Braid has now scored two goals at Prospera Place this season after getting one earlier with the Prince George Cougars. Head Coach Dan Lambert spoke glowingly about his play on our post game show and admitted he is much better player than he believed.
• Rourke Chartier now has 60 points, two more than his previous career high set last season.
• Madison Bowey hit two milestones last night. With a two assist effort, Bowey now has 100 career assists and 150 career points.   
• Tyrell Goulbourne will play in his 250th career game Friday night against the Seattle Thunderbirds. 
• The 50/50 jackpot was won by a gentleman from Ontario. How nice. It was nice until I found out it was Rob Fauld's of Sportsnet.  All joking aside, Fauld's and fellow Sportsnet broadcasters R.J Broadhead and Sam Cosentino were in the building watching the game. It was an easy guess to see who was buying beverages after the game with the 6 thousand dollar jackpot.