A Day Off In Rimouski

One of the many gas stations in downtown Rimouski. The gas isn`t that cheap here either at 97.4 cents a litre.
We used a rental car to travel to the Rockets practice facility Saturday morning.

Brandon Wheat Kings athletic therapist Rob Stouffer died this summer after a battle with cancer. Trainers across the WHL, including Rockets athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn, have a patch on their fanny pack in memory of the former colleague.
Coach Huska spends some one-on-one time with forward Ian Duval.
Mark Guggenberger looks on after Saturday`s workout. Assistant Kim Gellert has a chat with the players.
Assistant coach Kim Dillabaugh has a few words of wisdom for Guggs.
These two are converted Rockets fans. They were watching the Rockets practice this morning.
Even the Rockets chartered bus for the Memorial Cup comes with a Rockets flag.
This is where the Rockets practiced this morning. It is located in a small town about a 30 minute drive outside of Rimouski. The arena made me feel like I was transported back to Kyle Saskatchewan.
Rockets forward Jamie Benn gets some camera time after being named the first star Friday night.
Some crazy Rockets fan taking in the Memorial Cup. Reagan is a beauty. To say she`s a fan would be an understatement. Tysen Dowzak makes his way onto the bus for the 30 minute drive to the practice facility.

Rookie Shane McColgan makes his way onto the bus. What an experience for the 16 year-old, who will be looked upon to lead the Rockets to another Memorial Cup birth down the road.
Monday`s opponent. Flashy bus for the QMJHL champs.
The flash card in the broadcast location at the Colisee tells me where to set up my broadcast gear.
This is the home of the Rimouski Oceanic.
The grocery store across the street from the Colisee doesn`t hide the fact on who they are cheering for.
Inside the Colisee where you pick up your tickets.

I Need Hair Spray

• It`s another windy day in Rimouski as the Memorial Cup officially begins tonight with the Rockets facing the Oceanic. The good news is the sun is shining, but the wind makes me feel like I`m back in my hometown of Swift Current. If you want to keep your hair in place, strong hold hair spray is a requirement.
• The shuttle service here is amazing. A car is always available any time we need a ride to the arena from our hotel, which is about a 25 minute walk. The same is true when we step outside of the Colisee as a car is waiting to shuttle you back to the hotel. Renting a car isn`t needed unless you are interested in doing some touring on your own.
• The people of Rimouski are a friendly bunch. It has been nothing but a positive experience when interacting with volunteers of the event. While we have been here just three short days, we feel extremely welcome. People are bending over backwards to make sure things are going smoothly for us.
• I had a chance to set up my radio gear in preparation for tonight`s game. My sight line is at the blue-line looking directly towards the Rimouski bench. That radio location is also being shared by the Windsor broadcasters and a french broadcast crew. The Oceanic radio broadcast booth is directly across the ice.
  
• The Rockets took part in a pre-game skate in advance of tonight`s game. The boys looked sharper on the ice then they did in Thursday`s workout when the ice was chopped up. The ice conditions were less than ideal because the Rockets were the third team on the ice that day.
• Bring a coat. If you are thinking of watching any games at the Memorial Cup, a jacket is required inside the building. The on-ice crew have made sure that the temperature inside the building is cold enough so that the ice conditions won`t be compromised. It`s down right chilly in there. It feels like the old Memorial Arena in Cranbrook in December.
  
• The city of Rimouski is excited about this event. Banners, signs and Memorial Cup logo`s are all over town. Even if you are not a hockey fan you would get the general impression that this event is a big deal.
  
• In made a quick stop in one of the local super markets this morning and the language barrier is an issue. The only saving grace for me is everything is in Canadian funds, so dealing with different denominations isn`t a struggle when making a transaction. I was told about 20 percent of the population in Rimouski speak English.
• I conducted an interview with Sportsnets Peter Loubardias for an intermission during tonight's game. Loubardias is one of my favourites and I could talk shop with him for hours. He`s a real pro, yet isn`t afraid to let down his guard and get real with you. He`s a quality guy!
• Richard Doerksen, the VP of Hockey for the WHL will be my second intermission guest tonight. Doerksen is appearing in his 30th Memorial Cup. The only one he`s missed was in 1985 with the birth of his son.
• The low glass at the Colisee could be an factor. The side glass is 2 feet lower than at Prospera Place, and the end glass is also shorter than what is a requirement in the WHL. So the Rockets defenceman will have to be extra careful when clearing the puck off the glass into the neutral zone.

Two Day In Pictures

The front doors at the Colisee feature four great Rimouski Oceanic alumni over the years. Some guy named Crosby is also features on one of the doors.
English translation=Exit
Windsor head coach Bob Boughner at Thursday afternoon`s coaches press conference.
Coach Huska will try to make CHL history by winning his 5th Memorial Cup ring.
Colin Long, Tyson Barrie and Cody Almond pose following a team photo session following Thursday`s workout.
Rookie Aaron Borejko plays goal and attempts to stop Kyle St. Denis once practice was over.
Cody Almond gets some press coverage.
A shot from high above the ice as the Rockets practice below. The majority of the print media will be houses up here.
Mikael Backlund chills out during practice.
Mark Guggenberger gets in a workout Thursday at the Colisee.Granny takes in some H20.
Ian Duval chooses Gatorade to quench his thirst. This local photographer needs a bigger lens.

Photos From Rimouski

Talk about being close to the crowd. This is a photo of the fans accessibility behind the bench at the Colisee. That`s right, the fans can walk right behind you and can give you an ear full..
A pic of the ice surface of the Colisee.
This is a good indication that the Rockets enter the arena from this door.
Landing just outside of Rimouski.
A shot from the air before landing.
This is the charter we took from the Kelowna International Airport. It is a carrier based out of Whitehorse.
Rockets players say goodbye to the fans at Prospera Place Wednesday morning before busing to the airport.
A fan signs a banner sending her good wishes to the team.
Fans gather outside Prospera Place to send off the team.No lack of luggage for this trip. The players bags are stacked outside the Rockets dressing room
Phil Johnson and the AM-1150 morning show was on location Wednesday morning to send off the boys.

What You Need To Know About Host Team

• The Rimouski Oceanic are the host team of the 2009 Memorial Cup. The city of Rimouski was granted a franchise for the start of the 1995-96 season.
• Rimouski last won a Memorial Cup in 2000. Rimouski beat Barrie 6-2 in the finals that season. The Kootenay Ice (0-3) were the Western Hockey League representatives that season.
• Rimouski has produced three specal players to the NHL. Sydney Crosby, Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards all wore Oceanic colours. Richards was the captain of the team that won the Memorial Cup in 2000 while Crosby was part of the QMJHL champions from 2005.
• The Oceanic had the 6th best record in the 'Q' during the regular season. The host team had a record of 44-23-1-0.
• Rimouski made it to the final four of the QMJHL playoffs before being eliminated by Drummondville in four games in the semi finals.
• Eight players on the Oceanic are drafted by an NHL team. By comparison the Rockets have 7 players drafted by an NHL team.
• The Oceanic play out of a building that is 43 years-old. A reno to the building (1966) took place after the team was granted the 2009 Memorial Cup.

What You Need To Know About OHL Champs

• The Windsor Spitfires are the Ontario Hockey League champions. The Spitfires were 57-10-0-1 during the regular season, good for a 115 point season, tops in the 'O'.
• The Spitfires were the only OHL team to score over 300 goals this season. The Spitfires scored 311 times. Does the number 311 mean anything to you? It was the exact number of goals the Rockets scored during the regular season when they represented the WHL at the Memorial Cup in Quebec City in 2003.
• Windsor was 16 and 4 in the playoffs. They beat Brampton in 5 game to win the league title.
• It was the Spitfires second OHL title in franchise history and first in 21 seasons.
• The Spitfires top scorer in the playoffs was Taylor Hall. Hall, a 17 year-old forward, had 36 points in the playoffs, three more points than Jamie Benn's 33. Benn played one fewer game than Hall. How good is this Hall kid? The Kingston Ontario resident scored 45 goals as a 16 year-old.
• Spitfires defenceman Ryan Ellis should ring a bell with some Rockets fans. Ellis played for Canada at the World Juniors and was a teammate of both Rockets forward Jamie Benn and defenceman Tyler Myers.
• The Spitfires head coach is Bob Boughner. Man that name sounds familiar? It should. Boughner is a former NHL'er who was a part of an ownership group that bought the team in 2006. Boughner is the coach. The GM is former Stanley Cup winner Warren Rychel.
• Rychel won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. The 8 year NHL veteran experienced tragedy in March when his younger brother was killed in a early morning house fire in Lakeshore Ontario.

WHL Referee Representative at Memorial Cup is.....

Chris Savage. Great choice. I corresponded with W-H-L Director Officiating Kevin Muench, and he confirms Savage is the choice.
Savage, from Medicine Hat, was named the top referee in the WHL this season.

Myers Signs NHL Deal

Tyler Myers signed an NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres today. The Sabres drafted the 19 year-old in the 1st round of last summers NHL draft.

Audio - Game Winner

www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_1901.MP3&nid=927115

Thoughts On Series Clincher

• For the 4th time in the last 7 seasons the Rockets are off to the Memorial Cup. Tyson Barrie's goal in overtime lifted the Rockets to the 3-2 win, eliminating the Hitmen in 6 games. This Rockets team tends to bring their 'A' game to the table when it really counts. After an awful game five, the turnaround from dog tired to desperate was amazing. It was a complete effort that could have been decided in regulation time had it not been for Hitmen goaltender Martin Jones who was outstanding.
• The heavy artillery was brought out for game six, and the 'Benn Bomber' and the 'St. Denis Destroyer' found the designated target. Benn picked up two assists including the winner in overtime, while St. Denis was a threat with his speed. St-D often times stole the puck away from Hitmen defenceman who were attempting to move the puck up ice. His energy was infectious.
  
• Jamie Benn dropping his gloves to rough up Hitmen defenceman Michael Stone after applying a huge hit on Mikael Backlund. It looks now that it was the turning point in the game. While Benn took a double minor, the Rockets began out-hitting the Hitmen at every turn. That four minuter, in retrospect, was worth it's weight in gold. You won't hear that often in a game of this magnitude that a double minor is a good thing.
  
• Without a shadow of a doubt Michael Stone's hit on Rockets forward Mikael Backlund was the best I've seen all season. It was a major league collision, and clean to boot. What was even more amazing is that Backlund stayed in the game. Mikael Backlund is no ordinary Euro.
  
• Tyler Myers was named the series MVP for attempting to shutdown the top scoring team in the WHL during the regular season. But what can you say about the teams overall defensive play in the playoffs? Tyson Barrie had to play a little more cautious or conservative and had to concentrate on defense, while Tysen Dowzak played like only an overage veteran should. He played with purpose and made an impact. Brandon McMllan was tremendous while Collin Bowman was steady.
  
• Speaking of Bowman, it's the second straight year that a member of the family has participated in the Memorial Cup. Collin's older brother Drayson won the national championship last season with the Spokane Chiefs.
• Tyson Barrie now has a chance to attend his first ever Memorial Cup, something his dad also accomplished as a junior player. Len Barrie was with the Kamloops Blazers that lost three straight games at the Memorial Cup in 1990.
• I was especially impressed with Hitmen's head coach Dave Lowry when shaking hands with Rockets head coach Ryan Huska. Lowry had a few words with Huska before not only shaking his hand, but patting him on the back. I thought it was a classy gesture from the coach after a tough series and a tough loss.
  
• The Western Hockey League shouldn't find it hard in deciding which referee should represent the league at the 2009 Memorial Cup. Chris Savage is far and away the best official in the league, and deserves the honor, if he accepts?
  
• It was great to see three former Rockets captains celebrating the teams win up at Manhattan Point following the game. Ryan Cuthbert (2003), Josh Gorges(2004) and James McEwan (2008) all had huge smiles on their faces.
  
• You tend to appreciate a championship like this more when you experience missing the playoffs. I remember oh so well the 2006-2007 season when the Rockets missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Three years later they are champions once more.
  
• Jon Rosen, the play-by-play caller for the Everett Silvertips took in game six Saturday night. Rosen was itching to see some WHL playoff hockey and it was nice to chat with him before the game.
• Even former colour analyst David Michaud came out of the woodwork to watch the game in person. Michaud made the 7 hour trip down from Prince George to cheer the boys on.
• A quick shout-out to Corey Flett from the WHL league office. Flett uploaded video from the post game press conferences in the championship series and conducted several video interviews as well. It was a nice addition to the WHL website.
  

Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click on images to inlarge.





Rockets 3 Hitmen 2 Overtime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Benn Will Play In Game 6

Game Six Notes vs. Hitmen

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets and Calgary Hitmen are meeting in game six of the Western Hockey League championship final. The Rockets have a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series after a 3-1 win in game one, a 5-2 victory in game two and a 2-0 shutout win in game three. The Hitmen have won the last two games though, after a 6-2 victory in game four and a 6-1 win in game five. These two teams have never met in the league final. The Rockets are appearing in the championship series for the third time in franchise history. The Rockets made an appearance in 2003 with a 6 game series win over Red Deer before earning a five game series win against Brandon in 2005. If a game seven is necessary, it will be played Monday in Calgary. This season the Rockets and Hitmen met twice, with both games being played in Calgary. Both games were decided by a single goal.

What’s Happened So Far: The Hitmen have outscored the Rockets 15-13 in the first five games with the Hitmen out-scoring the Rockets 12-3 in the last two games…The Hitmen have out-shot the Rockets 164-128 in the five games….The Hitmen are 5 for 24 on the power play in the series (20.8%) while the Rockets are 2 for 17 (11.8%) with the man advantage…The Rockets have failed to score a power play goal in four straight games after scoring twice with the man advantage in game one….The Rockets have out-scored the Hitmen 7-6 in the third period…Only four of the twenty-eight goals (14%) in the series have been scored in the first period. ..The Rockets have been out-scored 10-3 in the final 40 minutes of games four and five…The Rockets have not lost three games in a row in the playoffs. The last time the Rockets lost three or more games was from January 16th to January 23rd when the team was winless in four games (0-2-0-2)…It will be six years tomorrow that the Rockets won their very first WHL title. It was May 10, 2003 when the Rockets beat the Red Deer Rebels 2-0 in six games.

Game Six Success: The Rockets are 2-0 in game six situations. The Rockets beat Tri City 6-2 in game six of round two and were a 5-4 winner in overtime in game six against Vancouver in round three. Both game six wins were series clinching victories.

Turn It Up A Notch: Ian Duval scored ten goals with the Rockets in 26 regular season games and has managed to score ten goals in 21 playoff games. Mikael Backlund had 12 goals in 28 regular season games with the Rockets and now has 11 goals in just 18 playoff games.
In case You Are Wondering: The Rockets have never won a WHL championship title at home. Both wins came on the road in Red Deer in 2003 and in Brandon in 2005…Since 2000, five teams have won the Western Hockey League title with 47 wins or fewer. The last team to win the league title with the same number of wins as the Rockets had this season were the Vancouver Giants, who had 47 victories during the regular season before beating Moose Jaw in 2006. The 2005 Rockets won a WHL title with just 45 wins during the regular season. Medicine Hat had 40 wins in 2004, while Kootenay had 38 victories before capturing the title in 2002. Kootenay also had 44 wins before winning the league in 2000…The Rockets can't touch the Hitmen when it comes to points, wins and goals scored. The Hitmen had 12 more wins and 13 fewer losses than the Rockets during the regular season…The Rockets scored 63 fewer goals and allowed 19 more against than the Hitmen….The Hitmen scored 36 more power play goals than the Rockets during the regular season, and also had 21 more chances with the extra man…The Hitmen had nine players with 50 or more points while the Rockets had just five…The Rockets had five - 20 goal scorers this season. The Hitmen had 7.
I Didn’t Know That: Jamie Benn is now the Kelowna Rockets franchise leader in points in one playoff season. Benn has 31 playoff points, three more than Jesse Schultz, who put up 28 points in the 2003 post season…The Rockets are playing their 22nd playoff game tonight. That means the Rockets are playing their 94th game of the season tonight if you include the 72 game regular season schedule. The franchise record for playoff games played is 24, set during the 2005 post season…Ian Duval has 18 points in 21 playoff games this season after recording just 3 points (1+2=3) in 16 playoff games with the Calgary Hitmen last season.