Rockets game notes vs. Pats

Tyson Baillie checking out a drill at Brandt Centre

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets open an Eastern Division road trip tonight against the Regina Pats. The team will play those six games in 9 nights. This is the one and only meeting of the season between the two teams. Last season, the Pats earned a 3-1 victory at Prospera Place. Rourke Chartier scored the lone goal while Jackson Whistle made 33 saves in the setback. In the Rockets last visit to Regina, December 14, 2013, Myles Bell scored in overtime in a 5-4 win. Tyson Baillie had 1+3=4.  

The Rockets have won three straight games at the Brandt Centre. The last loss was a 4-3 setback on December 9, 2007 when Jordan Eberle scored the game winner. Luke Schenn and Jamie Benn scored goals for the Rockets in a losing cause.  The Rockets have won 17 of their last 21 games overall (17-3-0-1) and are 12-2-0-0 on home ice and 10-4-1-0 on the road. Overall; the Rockets have points in 14 of 15 games (13-1-1-0). Following tonight’s game, the Rockets are in Brandon tomorrow night, visit Swift Current (Tuesday), Moose Jaw (Wednesday), Prince Albert ( next Friday) and Saskatoon (Saturday December 19^th).

Eastern Division Roady Results:

2013-2014: 6-0-0-0=12 points

2011-2012: 2-2-2-0=6 points

2009-2010: 3-3-0-0=6 points

2007-2008: 3-1-2-0=8 points

2005-2006: 6-0-0-0=12 points

Shot to the Heart: Since recording a season low 15 shots on net four games ago in Victoria, the Rockets have fired 151 pucks at the opposing goaltender, or an average of 50.3 shots on net in the last three games.  

Eight Is Enough: The Rockets are riding an eight game home ice winning streak. The team’s last loss at Prospera Place was October 30^th against the Prince George Cougars (2-1 L).  In seven of those eight games, the team has scored four or more goals. In those eight home ice wins, the team has allowed three or more goals only once when beat Lethbridge 5-3.

World Junior Bound? Nick Merkley and Rourke Chartier have been named to the selection camp roster for Hockey Canada’s World Junior team. Both players attended the summer evaluation camp with Merkley playing for the WHL in the Canada-Russia Challenge last month in Kelowna and Kamloops. Chartier was unable to play because of injury. Ex-Rockets goaltender Jordan Cooke was named to the university team that will face Hockey Canada’s junior team in two exhibition games December 12^th and 13^th. The upcoming World Juniors Hockey Championships are in Finland at Christmas.

  

Whistle Racking Up Winning Record: Twenty year-old Jackson Whistle is going after his 84^th career win in a Kelowna Rockets uniform this evening. Here are the franchise leaders:

1)     Adam Brown: 107 wins

2)     Jordan Cooke: 92 wins

3)     Jackson Whistle: 83 wins

4)     Kelly Guard: 83 wins

This and That: Riley Stadel returns to the line-up after missing 14 games with an UBI…Tyson Baillie has 2+3=5 in two career games in Regina…For a third consecutive week the Rockets are rated as the 4^th best team in the CHL Top 10 rankings….Tomas Soustal will attend the Czech Republic’s training camp in an effort to earn a spot on its World Junior team…Calvin Thurkauf will represent Switzerland at the World Junior’s….The Rockets play 12 games in December with 7 of those 12 on the road…Three members of the Rockets have been rated by NHL Central Scouting. Lucas Johansen and Dillon Dube are rated as ‘B’ prospects for June’s draft in Buffalo. Tomas Soustal, who was not selected last year, is ranked as a ‘C’ prospect…Rookie Gordie Ballhorn and Joe Gatenby lead the Rockets with a +16 ratings…Rodney Southam is two goals shy from his career high 7 goals he scored last season…Cal Foote is the next player to blow out candles. Foote turns 17 on December 13^th.….Seven of Justin Kirkland’s 10 goals have been scored on the road this season….Jackson Whistle has started 18 of the last 23 games.

Who’s Hot: Tyson Baillie has points in 17 of his last 19 games...Baillie had his 9 game point streak snapped last Saturday. Baillie had 6+11=17 over that stretch…Justin Kirkland has points in 6 of his last 7 games. Kirkland has 2+11=13 over that period…Cole Linaker has points in six of his last seven games.  Linaker has 3+5=8 over that stretch…Dillon Dube has 10+11=21 in his last 15 games….Lucas Johansen has 8 more point this season as he did all of last year.

Rockets arrive in Saskatchewan. Old man winter hasn't.

Jackson Whistle practising in Regina

• Welcome to Regina. Why is it that weather always dominates the discussion on the prairies? Face it, it is a massive factor in day to day life out here. I am pleased to report the weather (knock on wood) has been unseasonable warm in Saskatchewan. No snow was on the ground when we arrived Wednesday night and the temperature was 6 degrees. The streets were wet from any precipitation that came down and people were dancing in the streets because of it. Ok, the dancing in the streets is a stretch, but non-farming folk here are pretty happy with the ability to wear just a 'Bunny Hug' when walking from the car to the mall. The farming community won't be happy with the lack of moisture though. Trust me, I heard for years how a lack of snow had a dramatic impact on the soil conditions. Whether you are growing fruit in the Okanagan or a grain crop in Saskatchewan, farming is weather dependent and with that comes the topic of the weather.
• The Rockets came in 'dry' when they arrived late last night in Regina after the lengthy bus ride from the Okanagan. We often joke, 'we are coming in wet' or 'we are coming in dry'. That is trainer talk which reveals if our team equipment is wet or dry under the bus after possibly having a practice, quickly loading the gear 'wet', and heading to our destination. Considering the Rockets came to Regina 'dry', there was no need to head to the Brandt Centre (the home of the Pats) before heading to the hotel for some significant sleep.
• The team had a quick practice at the Brandt Centre in Regina Thursday morning. I thought it was a pretty good pace considering the guys spent close to 14 hours on the bus. It was nice to see defenceman/forward Riley Stadel on the ice without a yellow jersey, signifying he is health to play. Stadel has missed 14 games with an upper body injury and will be playing in his 200th career WHL game tomorrow night against the Pats.
• The Rockets have two new faces joining them on this road trip. With Merkley, Chartier, Thurkauf and Soustal away, Alex Uryga and Connor Bruggen-Cate have joined the squad. Uryga is a listed player from North Vancouver while Bruggen-Cate is a 6th round bantam pick from 2014. The 17 year-old is from Langley, BC. Welcome to the prairies boys!!
• Unleaded gasoline in Regina is going for 91.9 cents a litre. Just say'n.  
• Ya, I flew to Regina while the team took the bus. Would I do it again? In a New York minute.  
• Either a lot of people live in Regina or they need another Starbucks location on the south end of the city. The Starbucks in Chapters resembles the Tim Horton's location near our hotel in Prince George. It is constant traffic with no quiet times. Starbucks makes a killing here!
• Jackson Whistle is making his third prairie trip of his WHL career. Tyson Baillie would also be experiencing the same thing. Whistle is upbeat about the trip, where he looks to everyone elevating their play. I look for Justin Kirkland, Dillon Dube, Tyson Baillie, Cole Linaker and Jackson Whistle making major impacts in order for the team to have success. Seems obvious considering all five of those guys are veterans. If those 'fab five' can play particularly well, this team has a good chance of coming away from this 6 game in 9 night road trip with a smile on their face. 
• What I really want to see is some of the first year guys making major strides. How about Cal Foote? Kole Lind, come on down!! Let's see some of the rookies emerge on this swing. Hey, technically after you play 20 games you are no longer considered a rookie in the WHL. 
• Is it a home game for Dillon Dube tomorrow night against the Pats? The 17 year-old played two seasons with the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, which is located approximately 54 kilometres outside of Regina.  
• We will talk to you on the radio at 4:30 BC time tomorrow afternoon from Regina. The two hour time difference, while not dramatic, does take some getting used to. The game locally starts at 7 pm, which is 5 pm Kelowna time.

Notes, quotes and anecdotes

Cal Foote's father Adam

• Kelowna Rockets second year defenceman Lucas Johansen will experience something new when the team heads out on an epic 6 game in 9 night Saskatchewan/Manitoba road trip. Johansen has never made the voyage, which the team schedules prior to Christmas every second season. "We are all excited for it. The only thing we are not excited for is the bus trip, which is about 14 hours." Johansen is right. The bus trip from Kelowna to Regina is just shy of 14 hours. Thirteen hours and 50 minutes in fact if you believe Google Maps. The team will make stops in Regina, Brandon, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and Saskatoon. When the bus rolls into Saskatoon on December 19th it will have travelled three thousand, 22 kilometers.          
• The bench mark has been set by the Victoria Royals. The Royals completed an Eastern Division road trip earlier this season going a perfect 6-0-0-0.         
• It was nice to shake the hand of Michael Barnett the other night in Kelowna. I was surprised to see the father of J.T Barnett at Prospera Place, until I was informed by Michael that he is making a quick stop in the Okanagan as the Rangers make a Western Conference road trip. A common theme with Michael Barnett is a firm handshake, a smile and always positive words.  Barnett is the senior advisor to the President and General Manager of the New York Rangers.
• Cal Foote will celebrate his 17 year-old birthday in....wait for it.....Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Foote celebrates the milestone on December 13th, a day after his team plays the Wheat Kings in Brandon. If it makes you feel any better 'Footer', I too celebrated my 17th birthday in Swift Currrent.     
• The Rockets have only three Saskatchewan born players on their roster. With Rourke Chartier trying out for Team Canada, Rodney Southam (Saskatoon), Kole Lind (Shaunavon) and Jordan Borstmayer (St. Brieux) will be waving the Saskatchewan flag proudly. Athletic Therapist Scott Hoyer is from Regina.  
• The Rockets last made the Saskatchewan/Manitoba road trip in the 2013-2014 season when they went 6-0-0-0. In 2011-2012, the team had a mark of 3-2-1-0 in six games. In 2009-2010, the hockey club was 3-3-0-0. In 2007-2008, the hockey club played only five games (3-2-0-0). 
• The team's trek to Saskatchewan to play Eastern Division teams hasn't always been scheduled for December. During the 2005-2006 season, the team headed East in October and promptly won all six (6-0-0-0) games.
• In the 2003-2004 season the team was also undefeated on the trip with 5-0-0-0. The only team they didn't play that season was the Swift Current Broncos.     
• Things to look forward to on this road trip? A date with the Brandon Wheat Kings in a rematch of last seasons WHL final. Both teams will be short staffed. Four players on the Rockets side won't play because of world junior commitments while the Wheat Kings will be missing three key players.  
• It will be interesting when the team visits the Prince Albert Raiders in the fifth game of the six game road trip. The two face one another for the first time since Austin Glover, Dalton Yorke and Jesse Lees where traded to the Raiders in two separate deals for Leon Draisaitl, Gage Quinney and Josh Morrissey. It will also be a chance to see former Rockets head coach Marc Habsched, who is guiding the Raiders now.
• They played together in Kelowna for one season and now they have been reunited in pro hockey. Cole Martin and J.T Barnett are team-mates with the East Coast Hockey League's Atlanta Gladiators.
• Here are some comments from Adam Foote, the father of Rockets rookie defenceman Cal Foote on why his family chose the Western Hockey League for his two sons. "I wasn't sure which route he was going to take. The WHL is a great development league and we are fortunate for him to be in a great organization and a great city. I grew up playing in the OHL and my dad knew David Branch. We just thought staying out West would be a good fit and they love it". Adam coached Cal for four seasons before making his jump to the Western Hockey League. "I couldn't be happier to see where he is going to develop". Cal Foote could be joined by his younger brother Nolan as early as next season. Nolan was the Rockets first selection on May's WHL bantam draft. "He won't get much love from the NCAA this winter. He definitely wants to be a Rocket", Adam Foote added.  
• The Rockets have a planned 'social outing' on this road trip. The team plans to head out to Shaunavon, Saskatchewan for a meal put on by Kole Lind and his family. 
• I've made a connection with Jordan Cooke. I am hoping the Saskatchewan Huskies goaltender will join me in the first intermission (on the radio) of the December 19th game in Saskatoon.

Bears, be aware of Dube!!

Teddy Bear Toss Night - Shoot the Breeze Photography

• Be aware of bears. Or should the sign read - 'Bear's beware of Dube'? For a second consecutive season, the 17 year-old forward fired home the 'Teddy Bear Toss' goal in the Kelowna Rockets 4-2 win Saturday night over the visiting Portland Winterhawks. Dube's one timer from the right face-off circle opened the scoring with 8 seconds left in the first period, prompting the crowd of 53 hundred to begin throwing stuffed toys on the ice. Dube wasn't done there though. The draft eligible player scored his second goal of the game, the game winner in fact, at the midway point of the second period when he found himself alone in front of the Winterhawks net. Despite fanning on the shot, it squeaked through the legs of Portland goaltender Adin Hills legs to give the home team a 3-1 lead. Joe Gatenby would provide some insurance in the third period as the Rockets won their 8th straight game on home ice.
• It was Dube's fourth - two goal game this season. It also snapped an 8 game goalless drought.
• Speaking of players that were duo to score, Joe Gatenby would fall into that category. Gatenby scored his first goal of the season with a blue line blast in the third period. It was Gatenby's first goal in 43 regular season games dating back to last season. Gatenby's last goal prior to last night came against Kamloops back on February 18th of last season.
• Jackson Whistle earned his 83rd career win, moving into a tie with Kelly Guard for second place all-time with wins as a Kelowna Rockets goaltender. Whistle has 84 career wins, but one of them came as a member of the Vancouver Giants before being traded to the Rockets for a third round draft pick. Whistle is now 9 wins shy of tying Jordan Cooke for first place - all time - in wins by a Kelowna Rockets goalie. Undoubtedly, Whistle could hit the 100 win plateau by seasons end. How impressive would that be? The WHL record book does not keep track of most wins in a career by a goaltender.   
• WHL goalies that come to mind that have had winning careers with the same team include Tyson Sexsmith (120 wins with Vancouver) and Mac Carruth (117 wins with Portland). Tristan Jarry (93 wins), Calvin Pickard (91 wins with Seattle) and Eric Comrie (85 wins) are also good examples of winning games with the same franchise.
• Tyson Baillie had his 9 game point streak snapped against the Winterhawks. The WHL leading scorer missed a golden opportunity in the second period on a two-on-none breakaway with Dillon Dube. Dube elected to pass to Baillie who fired the puck into the left pad of Hill.
• Best player on the ice for the Winterhawks was Caleb Jones. I thought the Edmonton Oilers 4th rounder got better as the game went along. I didn't notice him much in the first period but did he ever play well in the second and the third. Terrific player with the puck.  
• The Rockets conclude a three game home stand winning all three games and out-scoring the opposition 13-5. The team now has 12 wins on home ice this season and own the best record in the WHL with 22 wins in 29 games.  The Rockets have the third most wins in the entire CHL. Only Erie (25) and Rouyn-Noranda (23) have more victories. 
• The Rockets 8 game winning streak at home is the second longest in the WHL this season. Seattle had a 9 game home ice winning streak snapped November 28th with an overtime loss to Moose Jaw. The T-Birds haven't lost in regulation time on home ice this season (10-0-1-0). The Rockets longest winning streak at home last season was 9 games. 
• Up next? A six game road trip through the Eastern Division. More on that in a future blog entry. 

Taming the Tigers

Rodney Southam takes down Tigers forward Cole Sanford

• Max Gerlach's missed chance on a first period power play proved lethal last night for the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers. With the struggling Tigers carrying the play for the first 13 minutes, Gerlach was involved in a pretty three way passing play. The puck was on his stick with a wide open net staring him in the face. Instead of firing it in with easy, Gerlach's shot hit the post and it stayed out. Eventually the Kelowna Rockets came alive, receiving two goals from Cole Linaker in a 5-2 win. While the Rockets extended their home ice winning streak to seven games, the Tigers dropped their eighth straight on opposition ice. Had Gerlach scored, how would the complexion of the game changed and ultimately the end result? That was a tough miss for a team that has only seven wins this season.
• The Rockets appeared to get better as the game went along and also received solid goaltending from Michael Herringer. Herringer fought the puck in warm up and looked as sleepy as his team in the early going before making several strong saves. Herringer's glove hand, specifically, was terrific on several occasions. The 19 year-old would end the night with a 34 save performance and third star in the building.
• Cole Linaker had two goals, giving him 11 on the season. Not bad for a defensive forward who had a career high 14 goals in 2014-2015. Linaker should be able to score no less than 20 goals this season, which would be impressive for a player who had 27 career goals coming into the season.  
• Lucas Johansen was seen joining the attack several times over the course of the game and was rewarded with a goal when he was left unattended in the slot to make the score 5-0. Cal Foote also scored, giving the Rockets some much needed goal production from the d-core. 
• Does 17 year-old David Quenneville not have one of the best shots in the league? Quenneville's slap shot is heavy and his wrister is equally good. The only thing holding him back is his 5'8 frame. 
• Cole Sanford, a 50 goal man from last season, had little time to make an impact. The 20 year-old received a 10 minute misconduct in the second period and didn't return for the third period because of an injury. Sanford has to miss Trevor Cox as his line-mate in Medicine Hat. Those two were a scary combination that Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston used without hesitation. Cox was traded to Vancouver after apparently asking for a trade.
• Tyson Baillie just keeps scoring. The 20 year-old is riding a nine game point streak with 5+11=16 over that period. The longest point streak in the WHL is 11 games set by Swift Current's Jon Martin. Leon Draisaitl had the longest Rockets point streak last season (13) followed by Nick Merkley (12).   
• The Rockets have won 7 straight games on home ice. During that stretch, the team has only given up three or more goals once (5-3 win vs. Lethbridge). The team has also scored four or more goals in six of the last seven games.
• Up next is a home game against the Portland Winterhawks tonight on 'Teddy Bear Toss' night. It is the final home game before Christmas as the team heads out on a seven game road trip which includes a six game 'roady' prior to sipping on egg nog. 

Rockets/Tigers game notes

Shoot the Breeze Photography

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets play game two of a three game home stand tonight against the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers. This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Rockets were a 6-5 winner in Medicine Hat back on October 6^th. The Rockets had six different goal scorers in the one goal victory. Nick Merkley scored the game winner with under 5 minutes left in regulation time. The Tigers make a return visit on January 23^rd. The Rockets are coming off a 4-1 win Wednesday night over the Kootenay Ice. Rourke Chartier scored three times. Justin Kirkland scored his 10^th goal of the season in the lopsided affair, which saw the Rockets fire a season high 59 shots on net.

The Rockets have won 15 of their last 19 games overall (15-3-0-1) and are 10-2-0-0 on home ice and 10-4-1-0 on the road. Overall; the Rockets have points in 12 of 13 games (11-1-1-0). The Rockets home stand continues tomorrow night against the visiting Portland Winterhawks.

World Junior Bound? Nick Merkley and Rourke Chartier have been named to the selection camp roster for Hockey Canada’s World Junior team. Both players attended the summer evaluation camp with Merkley playing for the WHL in the Canada-Russia Challenge last month in Kelowna and Kamloops. Chartier was unable to play because of injury. Ex-Rockets goaltender Jordan Cooke was named to the university team that will face Hockey Canada’s junior team in two exhibition games December 12^th and 13^th. The upcoming World Juniors Hockey Championships are in Finland at Christmas.

 

Whistle Racking Up Winning Record: Twenty year-old Jackson Whistle is going after his 83^rd career win in a Kelowna Rockets uniform this evening. Whistle is 10 wins shy of tying the franchise record for most wins by a goalie. Here are the leaders:

1)     Jordan Cooke: 92 wins

2)     Kelly Guard: 83 wins

3)     Jackson Whistle: 82 wins

4)     Kevin Swanson: 70 wins

This and That: The Rockets have won 6 straight games on home ice….Cole Martin was involved in an ECHL trade this week. Martin, who led the Rockets in +/- last season, was dealt by the Idaho Steelheads to the Atlanta Gladiators. Back in November, Chance Braid, who started his season with Martin in Idaho and is a former member of the Rockets WHL championship team, was sent to the Allen Americans for future considerations...For a second consecutive week the Rockets are rated as the 4^th best team in the CHL Top 10 rankings….Tomas Soustal will attend the Czech Republic’s training camp later this month in an effort to earn a spot on its World Junior team…Calvin Thurkauf will represent Switzerland at the World Junior’s….The Rockets play 12 games in December with 7 of those 12 on the road. That includes a Saskatchewan/Manitoba road trip that begins next Friday in Regina and ends December 19^th in Saskatoon. The Rockets will play those six games in 9 nights… Three members of the Rockets have been rated by NHL Central Scouting. Lucas Johansen and Dillon Dube are rated as ‘B’ prospects for June’s draft in Buffalo. Tomas Soustal, who was not selected last year, is ranked as a ‘C’ prospect…Baillie has points in 15 of his last 16 games…Baillie has been held off the score sheet in just five of 27 games this season…Rookie Gordie Ballhorn and Joe Gatenby lead the Rockets with a +14 ratings…Rodney Southam is two goals shy from his career high 7 goals he scored last season…Cal Foote is the next player to blow out candles. Foote turns 17 on December 13^th.….Seven of Justin Kirkland’s 10 goals have been scored on the road this season….Jackson Whistle has started 17 of the last 21 games…Tyson Baillie has averaged 28 goals over his last three seasons…The Rockets next play three games in three nights January 29th, 30^th and 31^st with two of those three games on home ice….

Who’s Hot: Justin Kirkland has a 6 game point streak with 2+9=11 over that period…Cole Linaker has points in four of his last five games.  Linaker has 1+4=5 over that stretch.…Nick Merkley has points in five of his last six games. Merkley has 3+5=8 over that period…Tomas Soustal has two more points (20) than he had all of last season….Tomas Soustal has points in five of his last seven games. Soustal has 4+3=7 over that period…Kole Lind has 4+4=8 in his last 10 games…Tyson Baillie has 11+25=36 in his last 19 games …Dillon Dube has 8+11=19 in his last 13 games….Lucas Johansen has 6 more point this season as he did all of last year.

Taking the Ice to the woodshed

Chartier shows no rust, (Shoot the Breeze Photography)

• Twitch....twitch. You will have to excuse Kootenay Ice goaltender Wyatt Hoflin for involuntary muscle twitching after facing 59 shots in the Kelowna Rockets dominating 4-1 win Wednesday night at Prospera Place. Thankfully for the Ice, Hoflin was on his game because the team in front of him was off in a lopsided affair featuring the top team in the WHL against the bottom dwelling Ice. Hoflin made several three alarm saves as the Rockets top shooters burned Kootenay's porous defense. Rourke Chartier, making his return to the line up after missing 19 games with an upper body injury, scored three times in a win that flattered the road team. Without a high level effort from Hoflin this could have been a double digit embarrassment. Chartier walked away with the first star while Hoflin received an even louder ovation when he came out of the dressing room to pick up third star honours. 
• Chartier didn't look rusty in the least bit. The 19 year-old showed no ill effects when he backhanded a pass to an awaiting Nick Merkley, who was seen cutting towards the goal two minutes into the game. Hoflin slid across to make a nice pad save to avoid the inevitable. Chartier, who hadn't played since October 6th in Medicine Hat after blocking a shot, showed off his quick one-timer when he ripped two shots past Holfin's glove hand side. It was Chartier's second career three goal game after pulling off a similar performance last season against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Despite scoring the second most goals in the WHL, it was the first-three goal game by a Rockets player this season.
• Chartier played on a line with Nick Merkley and Calvin Thurkauf. It only made sense to play Chartier with Merkley after the magic they created last season. Thurkauf was added to that line with the premise being the three will leave the team when they open a Saskatchewan road trip next Wednesday as the trio attempt to play for their respective countries at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Merkley and Chartier are trying out for Team Canada while Thurkauf will play for Switzerland.  
• The 59 shots on goal was a season high. The Rockets previous high was 42 shots taken against the Edmonton Oil Kings in a 5-3 win in October.
• Jackson Whistle's shutout bid ended late in the second period when Ice forward Max Patterson took a shot on right wing on a two-on-one. The puck was stopped by Whistle, but it went off defenceman Cal Foote and into the back of the net. Despite that unfortunate bounce, Whistle earned his 15th win of the season and moved one win shy of Kelly Guard for second place all time on the franchises wins list for goalies. Whistle has 82 career wins in a Rockets uniform. Whistle's first WHL victory came as a member of the Vancouver Giants in 2012 in a shootout victory against the Prince George Cougars.

Rockets game notes vs. Ice

Shoot the Breeze Photography

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets open their final home stand before the Christmas break with three games at Prospera Place. The Kootenay Ice provides the opposition in a rare meeting between two teams that used to have a long playoff history before the Ice moved to the Central Division. These teams met once last season, January 31^st in Cranbrook, where the Rockets earned a 5-1 win. Rourke Chartier, Leon Draisaitl, Cole Martin and Gage Quinney scored first period goals in the win. Jackson Whistle made 25 saves in the victory. The Ice hasn’t made an appearance in Kelowna since the December 7, 2013. In that game, Myles Bell scored the game winner in the third period while Jackson Whistle was named the 1^st star with a 30 save effort. The Rockets are coming off a split after visiting the Victoria Royals on the weekend. The Rockets won the opening game Friday 3-1, before losing Saturday’s rematch 5-1. The Rockets have won 14 of their last 18 games overall (14-3-0-1) and are 9-2-0-0 on home ice and 10-4-1-0 on the road. Overall; the Rockets have points in 11 of 12 games (10-1-1-0). The Rockets home stand continues Friday against Medicine Hat and Saturday vs. Portland.

World Junior Bound? Nick Merkley and Rourke Chartier have been named to the selection camp roster for Hockey Canada’s World Junior team. Both players attended the summer evaluation camp with Merkley playing for the WHL in the Canada-Russia Challenge last month in Kelowna and Kamloops. Chartier was unable to play because of injury. Ex-Rockets goaltender Jordan Cooke was named to the university team that will face Hockey Canada’s junior team in two exhibition games December 12^th and 13^th. The upcoming World Juniors are in Finland at Christmas.

  

November Notables: Tyson Baillie had 7+11=18 in the month of November. Nick Merkley had 7+8=15 in the month while Justin Kirkland had 4+10=14. Kole Lind had 5+4=9. Cole Linaker had 3+7=10 in November.  

Tyson Baillie hits record books: Tyson now has 260 career points, becoming only the 5^th player in Rockets franchise history to reach the 250 point plateau. Brett McLean had 375 points before being traded to Brandon in his 20 year-old season. John Varga had 333 career points with Tacoma. Jason Deleurme had 313 career points while Kiel McLeod had 261 career points.   

This and That: The Rockets play 12 games in December with 7 of those 12 on the road. That includes a Saskatchewan/Manitoba road trip that begins next Friday in Regina and ends December 19^th in Saskatoon. The Rockets will play those six games in 9 nights… Three members of the Rockets have been rated by NHL Central Scouting. Lucas Johansen and Dillon Dube are rated as ‘B’ prospects for June’s draft in Buffalo. Tomas Soustal, who was not selected last year, is ranked as a ‘C’ prospect…Baillie has points in 14 of his last 15 games…Baillie has been held off the score sheet in just five of 25 games this season…Rookie Gordie Ballhorn leads the Rockets with a +14 rating…Rodney Southam is two goals shy from his career high 7 goals he scored last season…Cal Foote is the next player to blow out candles. Foote turns 17 on December 13^th. December birthdays are rare on the Rockets roster. The last December birthday was Cody Chikie and Filip Vasko when the two suited up for the team during the 2011-2012 campaign….The Rockets are rated as the 4^th best team in the country according to the CHL Top 10 rankings this week. The Rockets were rated 5^th at the start of the season….Seven of Justin Kirkland’s nine goals have been scored on the road this season….Jackson Whistle has started 16 of the last 20 games…Tyson Baillie has averaged 28 goals over his last three seasons…The Rockets next play three games in three nights January 29th, 30^th and 31^st with two of those three games on home ice….The Rockets had two players taken in the NHL draft. Nick Merkley was taken in the first round by Arizona. Devante Stephens was chosen in the 5^th round by Buffalo…Cole Linaker (Oilers), Tomas Soustal (Flames) and Tyson Baillie (Flames) all received free agent tryouts.

Who’s Hot: Justin Kirkland has a 5 game point streak with 1+9=10 over that period…Cole Linaker has a modest 4 game point streak with 1+4=5 over that period.….Nick Merkley has points in four of his last five games. Merkley has 3+4=7 over that stretch…Tomas Soustal has two more points (20) than he had all of last season….Tomas Soustal has points in five of his last six games. Soustal has 4+3=7 over that period…Kole Lind has 4+4=8 in his last 9 games…Tyson Baillie has 11+23=34 in his last 18 games …Dillon Dube has 8+10=18 in his last 12 games….Lucas Johansen has 5 more point this season as he did all of last year.

Notes, quotes and anecdotes

Jordan Borstmayer is a great interview

• From dirty to disciplined. That may best describe the Victoria Royals. No longer are they the bully in the playground. They are playing nicely in the sandbox and being rewarded for it. Last season the Royals were throwing sand in your face, especially if they were losing and weren't getting their way. But Royals head coach Dave Lowry has done a great job of altering the way his team plays. Now a smaller, less angry core of players, the compete level is still clearly evident but the propensity to make regular trips to the penalty box appear to be over. The Royals play a smart game and it starts and ends at the top with Lowry. In my opinion, Lowry more than any other coach in the WHL, has changed how his team plays. It is awfully impressive to watch and it shows in the team's unbelievably strong record. 
• Best player interview of the week? Rockets forward Jordan Borstmayer by a country mile. The rookie receives little in the way of media attention, but the likeable 17 year-old was solid on the mic when I asked him about his first career WHL goal last Wednesday against the Seattle Thunderbirds. "It felt pretty good. It was a big relief. Hopefully it is blue skies looking forward. Any time I get out there I try to work my hardest. I believe ice time and points come with hard work."
• Nick Merkley and Rourke Chartier have been named to Hockey Canada's selection camp. Merkley had a slow start after coming back injured from Arizona Coyotes training camp while Chartier has missed 19 games with an upper body injury. The question is, will Chartier be healthy enough to participate in the camp? One would think so, or Hockey Canada wouldn't have added him to the roster. 
• You have to hand it to Saskatoon Blades HC Bob Woods for fully disclosing why he moved goaltender Nik Amundrud to the Calgary Hitmen. The reason, Woods said bluntly, "He came to me and wasn't happy". I've never liked the notion that a player asks for a trade. In most cases, not all, it shows selfishness and doesn't make that individual accountable for his performance. It is easy for a player to blame others, but where is the logic behind looking inwardly? Oh right, that would be closer to the truth. 
• Cal Foote has big feet. He really does. The 16 year old rookie has a size 16 shoe. "When I am looking for shoes, I usually have to buy them on line", Foote told me earlier this month. 
• Speaking of Cal Foote, his younger brother Nolan spent last week skating with the team he hopes to join next season. Nolan was the Rockets first pick in May's WHL Bantam Draft. This season he is playing minor hockey in his home in Denver, Colorado where his hockey famous father is a coach. "I really, really like him as a coach on my team. He is an assistant coach with my team. He is a hockey brain. He knows everything", Nolan told me about his father Adam Foote, who played 1154 regular season NHL games as a defenceman. I wish my twin boys said the same thing about me. "He knows everything" has never been uttered out of their mouths.
• Adam Foote doesn't want to be in the spotlight as his two sons make their mark in the WHL. Foote has rejected many requests to do interviews about Cal and Nolan playing with the Kelowna Rockets, but that didn't stop me from approaching him earlier this season for a quick conversation. I will share that interview with you next week.    
• If you are wondering, Nolan Foote can't play a game with the Kelowna Rockets this season. As an underage player, 15 year-old bantam draft picks can play nine games after January 10th with the WHL team that selected them. American born players, which Foote is, can't though, because of the CHL's agreement with USA Hockey. 
• Congratulations to former Kelowna Rockets goaltender Jordan Cooke for being named to a Canadian university team that will play two exhibition games against Canada's national junior team in early December. Cooke is playing this season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. 
• Is Royals rookie forward Matthew Phillips the next coming of Nic Petan? Just 5'7 and 161 pounds, the 17 year-old is pretty dynamic offensively and has 27 points in 27 games (14+13=27).  Ok, maybe Phillips isn't a clone of Petan, but he sure is fun to watch. Petan had 46 goals in his 17 year-old season and 120 points.       
• I love to talk to opposing coaches, but I am very selective in my questioning. I want to discuss issues or subjects that are slightly off the beaten path. I had a nice chat last week with Seattle Thunderbirds head coach Steve Konowalchuk. My focus was on the playoff format that could be considered flawed if you are a T-Birds fan. Seattle, a 38 win team last season, had to face high powered Portland in last years opening round. "I don't know if it is flawed", Konowalchuk told me last week. "You want to get the division match ups for the fans. Two years ago we faced Everett in the first round and they were one of the top teams in the division that season. Two years in a row we have had a tough match up. One good team was going home. I think what they are trying to do is get the division match ups for the fans, so in that sense it's a success."
• Best player I saw last week? T-Birds Ethan Bear is a solid d-man. Very gifted offensively. I was honestly surprised at how good the Edmonton Oilers draft pick is.  
• A Victoria radio station sponsors the 'Junior Sportscaster', a live segment hosted by veteran broadcaster Ed Jolly ever Friday night during the intermission at Victoria Royals home games. It is often a delight. Jolly speaks with a young child (12 or under) for about five minutes, which is seen unrehearsed for those watching on the big screen at centre ice. The answers to Ed's questions by the 'Junior Sportscaster' is often times comical and receives a good chuckle from the fans watching below in the seats. It is a unique feature that no one does elsewhere in the WHL that I am aware of. If I haven't described the segment well, just think 'Kids Say the Darnedest Things". I for one think it is a massive hit. 

Lack of discipline in lacklustre road loss

• The Kelowna Rockets should feel good about the weekend. No, not because of their sluggish play. The Victoria Royals were the better team in both games. The Rockets should be grateful to come out of the two games with no less than two points. In essence, the WHL leaders closed out the weekend in the same position they entered it. The Rockets have a slim three point lead on the Royals for top spot in the Western Conference, but the lead has diminished to just a single point on Red Deer for top spot in the Western Hockey League. While the team wasn't very good Friday in a 3-1 win, thanks primarily to goaltender Jackson Whistle, Saturday's 5-1 loss was a greater indication of how poorly the Rockets played and how determined the Royals were in handing their BC Division rivals their 6th regulation loss of the season. 
• A lack of discipline has been a factor for the Rockets this season and it rears its ugly head Saturday night in the 5-1 loss. The Rockets took eight trips to the penalty box and the Royals promptly scored four goals with the power play. The eight penalties could be expected if the Royals played the in-your-face style we have been accustomed to over the years, but Dave Lowry's crew no longer plays that way. They play smart, tactical hockey where they attempt to outwork you. If you are lazy and use your stick to check, you will find yourself in the penalty box. That was the case Saturday and was the case Friday when the Rockets were fortunate to kill off all six power play chances the Royals were granted. On Saturday night the Royals power play unit was crisp and the visitors paid mightily.     
• Speaking of the Royals, is it not amazing how head coach Dave Lowry has changed the way his team plays? It is a stark contrast to a season ago. The Royals were arguably one of the dirtiest teams in the league last season. They would try to beat you into the ground physically and when the game was over the scars on your body was a sure sign you were in a battle. But with a smaller team this season, Lowry has altered the way they play likely more than any other team I've seen this season. From year-to-year, most teams in the WHL play generally the same way. Not the Royals. Outside of outworking the opposition, which is a Dave Lowry staple, the Royals are much different in their tactical approach to beating the opposition. Frankly it's impressive. 
• The Rockets generated a season low 15 shots on net in Saturday's loss. No wonder they trailed 3-0 after 40 minutes when they fired only 9 shots on the Royals net.
• Cole Linaker scored the lone goal for the Rockets, his first in eight games. 
• I thought it was a pretty good weekend for 16 year-old Jonathan Smart. I think the rookie is outplaying fellow fresh faces Brayden Chizen and Danny Gatenby for ice time. 
• November will go down as a solid month for the Rockets. They suffered one regulation loss in 11 games (9-1-1-0). By comparison, last season in 14 November games the team was (9-2-3-0). 

'Whistle' while you work

Jackson Whistle was superb Friday night - Shoot the Breeze Photography

• We are only 25 games into the 2015-2016 Western Hockey League season and one thing is abundantly clear. Jackson Whistle is the Kelowna Rockets most valuable player. The 20 year-old proved it again Friday night with a 34 save performance in a 3-1 win over the Victoria Royals. Whistle made several solid stops in the teams 19th win of the season, including one that saw a shot go off the top of his mask with the Royals attempting to tie the game at two. Whistle looked as calm as ever as his team struggled to clear the puck in front of him. Often under siege, specifically in the final 40 minutes, Whistle looked unbeatable until Royals leading scorer Alex Forsberg fired a one timer past him with close to seven minutes gone in the third period. The win was Whistle's league leading 14th of the season and it was his 9th consecutive start that allowed his team to earn, in a worse case scenario, a point in the standings. The two points in Victoria Friday night move the Rockets five points up on the Royals for first place in the Western Conference while also staying three points up on Red Deer for first place in the overall standings.
• Tyson Baillie had a goal and an assist which gives him 44 points on the season. That allowed the 20 year-old to move into the WHL scoring lead with one point more than Moose Jaw's Brayden Point. Baillie is now three assists shy of 150 for his career.   
• While the Rockets scored twice on the power play, they were also able to go 6 for 6 on the penalty kill. The best chance the Royals had to score in the second period was when Tyler Soy hit the goal post shorthanded while cutting inside on Rockets d-man Cal Foote. Soy somehow lifted the puck past the outstretched glove of Whistle, but it hit the goal post and stayed out. 
• The Rockets haven't lost in regulation time on the road in seven consecutive games. The last outright loss on opposition ice came October 16th in a 3-0 setback in Prince George.
• It was the 4th time this season the team has surrendered only one goal against.
• A stick tap to the Victoria Royals for keeping a count on the number of shots taken by a player during the course of the game. You can see the column on the WHL website game sheet, yet often times it is never filled out by the home team. In this case, it showed Justin Kirkland had five shots on net while Calvin Thurkauf had four. The Rockets d-core had a combined three shots on net with Cal Foote having two of them and Devante Stephens having one on a second period shot from the left point.
• The two teams meet again Saturday night at Save on Foods Memorial Centre. The Rockets will have to be much improved in all facets of the game outside of goaltending. Frankly, on Friday night at least, that can't get much better.

Rockets game notes vs. T-Birds

Mathew Barzal - Shoot the Breeze Photography

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets wrap up a three game home stand tonight against the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds. This is the first of only four meetings between these two teams this season. The T-Birds make a return visit on February 8^th. The Rockets make two appearances in Kent on January 28^th and February 9^th. Last season the T-Birds beat the Rockets twice at Prospera Place by scores of 5-2 and 3-2 in overtime. The Rockets were a 6-2 winner in Seattle before falling 2-1 also at ShoWare Center.

The Rockets have won 12 of their last 15 games overall (12-2-0-1) and are 8-2-0-0 on home ice and 9-3-1-0 on the road. Following tonight’s game, the Rockets travel to the Island to play the Victoria Royals this weekend. Overall, the Rockets have points in 9 straight games (8-0-1-0).

Baillie POW Honours: Tyson Baillie is the WHL Player of the Week. Baillie had 3+4=7 in three wins last week and was a +5. Baillie is second in WHL scoring and leads the team in goals, assists, points, power play goals and is tied for the team lead in game winning goals with three. Baillie is only four points shy of the Rockets lead in penalty minutes.

  

November Notables: Tyson Baillie has 6+8=14 in the month of November. Nick Merkley has 6+7=13 in the month while Justin Kirkland has 3+7=10. Kole Lind has 3+4=7. Cole Linaker has 2+4=6 in November.  

Tyson Baillie hits record books: Tyson Baillie had two assists last Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime win in Kamloops. Baillie now has 256 career points, becoming only the 5^th player in Rockets franchise history to reach the 250 point plateau. Brett McLean had 375 points before being traded to Brandon in his 20 year-old season. John Varga had 333 career points with Tacoma. Jason Deleurme had 313 career points while Kiel McLeod had 261 career points.   

This and That: Three members of the Rockets have been rated by NHL Central Scouting. Lucas Johansen and Dillon Dube are rated as ‘B’ prospects for June’s draft in Buffalo. Tomas Soustal, who was not selected last year, is ranked as a ‘C’ prospect…Baillie has points in 12 of his last 13 games…Baillie has been held off the score sheet in just five of 23 games…Rookie Gordie Ballhorn leads the Rockets with a +14 rating…Rodney Southam is two goals shy from his career high 7 goals he scored last season….The Rockets have been to overtime in three of the last six games. The Rockets have won once in overtime and lost once in the extra period. One overtime game decided nothing and was reduced to the game ending in a shootout victory…. Cal Foote is the next player to blow out candles. Foote turns 17 on December 13^th. December birthdays are rare on the Rockets roster. The last December birthday was Cody Chikie and Filip Vasko when the two suited up for the team during the 2011-2012 campaign….The Rockets are rated as the 6^th best team in the country according to the CHL Top 10 rankings this week. The Rockets were rated 5^th at the start of the season….Six of Justin Kirkland’s eight goals have been scored on the road this season….Jackson Whistle has started 14 of the last 18 games…Tyson Baillie has averaged 28 goals over his last three seasons…The Rockets next play three games in three nights January 29th, 30^th and 31^st with two of those three games on home ice….The Rockets had two players taken in the NHL draft. Nick Merkley was taken in the first round by Arizona. Devante Stephens was chosen in the 5^th round by Buffalo…Cole Linaker (Oilers), Tomas Soustal (Flames) and Tyson Baillie (Flames) all received free agent tryouts.

Who’s Hot: Kole Lind had a three game point streak snapped Saturday. Lind had 1+2=3 over that period…Rodney Southam has four goals in his last 7 games and 4+3=7 in his last 7…Tanner Wishnowski has two goals in his last 5 games….Nick Merkley has 6+6=12 in 8 games in the month of November….Kole Lind has 2+4=6 in his last 6 games…Tyson Baillie has 10+20=30 in his last 15 games …Dillon Dube has 8+10=18 in his last 9 games and has collected 15 points in his last eight games….Lucas Johansen has four more point this season as he did all of last year.

Man Games Lost to Injury/Illness/Suspension: 63 games

Jackson Whistle: 3 games             Rourke Chartier: 16 games

Nick Merkley: 3 games                  Jonathan Smart: 13 games

Dillon Dube – 2 game suspension Tanner Wishnowski – 8 game

Tomas Soustal – 2 game       Riley Stadel – 8 games

Dillon Dube – 5 games UBI   Lucas Johansen 2 game

Kirkland's move to the middle looks marvellous

Justin Kirkland - Shoot the Breeze Photography

• With injuries to Rourke Chartier and Dillon Dube, 19 year-old forward Justin Kirkland is being forced to play centre. It looks good on him. Kirkland finds himself in the middle between wingers Tomas Soustal and Tyson Baillie and the unit is a scary threat to score. Kirkland has collected six assists in three games since making the move to the middle in a 4-3 overtime win Wednesday in Kamloops. The move, for whatever reason, is allowing Kirkland more puck possession and more quality shots on goal. With arguably the quickest release on the team, Kirkland's shot is handcuffing goaltenders and creating massive rebounds for his line-mates who are cashing in. A good example was Tyson Baillie's third period goal last night in a 5-2 home ice win over the Vancouver Giants.  Kirkland's hard wrister wasn't controlled by Giants goalie Ryan Kubic. Like flies on a piece of raw meat, Soustal, Baillie and Kirkland converge on the rebound before Baillie rips it in. All three pick up points on the goal that made the score 4-0. 
• A solid start for the Rockets after blowing out the Edmonton Oil Kings the night before. I was wondering if the team would come out lethargic, but surprisingly that wasn't the case. The Rockets looked to bury the Giants with first period goals from Calvin Thurkauf, who could have had three on the night, Baillie and Nick Merkley. For a team with only five wins this season, it was awfully tough for the Giants to dig themselves out of that hole. Give the visitors credit though. They appeared to get better as the home teams game became increasing fractured. The G-Men played with more desperation in an effort to bounce back and make it a two goal game before Merkley scored an empty netter for the Rockets 17th win of the season.
• The win moved the Rockets into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference with 35 points, one better than the Victoria Royals who lost in overtime against Tri City.  
• I loved the pack mentality the Rockets showed when Giants forward Tyler Benson shot the puck at the Rockets net after the whistle was blown on a second period offside. All five players skated over to Benson and let him know they didn't like the late shot on Whistle. Strength in numbers is sometime far better than one individual wanting to defended the honour of the team. The pack mentality in that situation is such an encouraging sign for this team.    
• Hats off to Giants forward Tyler Benson for fighting Rockets rookie defenceman Gordie Ballhorn. Ballhorn took exception to what appeared to be a light slash behind the net and challenged the 17 year-old to a fight. Benson, who is the Giants team captain, dropped the gloves and despite it being his first career WHL tilt, the highly touted forward came out of the scrap unscathed.   
• Trevor Cox is known as one of the most dynamic 20 year-old's in the Western Hockey League. Shouldn't Tyson Baillie be granted the same status? Both players have almost the exactly same number of points. Baillie had 2+1=3 last night and now has 256 career points, one shy of Cox's 257. Baillie will go down as one highest scoring wingers ever in franchise history. Enjoy him while he is here!  
• I want to give the Giants player's credit, specifically those on the bench, when Rockets forward Kole Lind was hit hard into the side boards in the first period after taking a shot on net. Lind was off balance when he was smoked into the side boards and stayed down for some time. When Lind got to his skates, several Giants players tapped their sticks on the boards or on the ice in a show of class and concern for Lind. A stick tap to the Giants organization as it looked good on their players.
• Have you noticed Joe Gatenby shooting the puck more and becoming increasingly involved in the offense? Love it.  
• A solid week for the Rockets if you look at the four games they played over a span of seven days. After a 4-3 overtime loss in Spokane last Saturday, the team won 4-3 in overtime Wednesday in Kamloops, beat Edmonton 6-1 on Friday and earned a 5-2 win Saturday against the Giants. The team has found the back of the net 95 times this season, the most of any one in the WHL. Not bad considering two of the teams most dynamic players, Chartier and Dube, are still out with injuries.   
• A shout out to the Kelowna Rockets Twitter feed. Check out the videos they are pumping out during games. Several of the goals scored are tweeted out quickly and even a nice hit Nick Merkley had on Giants 20 year-old Carter Popoff was quickly uploaded for all to see on social media. This is simply amazing work by Kevin Parnell. It is common place on NHL Twitter feeds, but in major junior hockey, that attention to detail is often missed.