Game notes vs. Tigers on Wednesday

• Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets and Tigers are meeting for the first of just two times this season. The two teams get re-acquainted with one another when the Tigers again visit Prospera Place on January 30th. These two teams are meeting for the first time since January 30/09 when the Rockets skated away with a 10-1 win. The last time the Tigers won in Kelowna was January 14/06 in a 4-0 win. Matt Keetley made 27 saves in the shutout. The Rockets have won three straight games after back-to-back victories over the Chilliwack Bruins on the weekend. The Rockets out-scored the Bruins 13-6 in the two games. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Vancouver Friday night before hosting Prince George on Saturday.
• What a difference a year makes: Stepan Novotny leads the Rockets with 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points in just 6 games. Novotny had just one point – a goal – in his first six games last season. Novotny has registered a point in five of his last six games. The only game where Novotny has been held off the score-sheet was in a 6-1 loss in Tri City September 19th.
• ‘Power’ to the people: The Rockets have scored seven power play goals (7/18=39%) in their last three games. The Rockets have scored a power play goal in five of the six games this season. The Rockets were 0/8 in a 4-1 loss in Kamloops September 25th.
• Who’s Hot – Who’s Not: Brandon McMillan has points in all five games he’s played this season. McMillan has 8 assists. Stepan Novotny has points in 5 of the 6 games this season. Shane McColgan is riding a three game point streak (2+4=6). Mitchell Callahan has goals in back-to-back games and is riding a modest three game point streak (2+1=3). Kyle St. Denis has five points in his last two games (3+2=5). Rookie Brett Bulmer is riding a three game point streak. Bulmer has 3+3=6. Lucas Bloodoff has goals in three of his last four games.
• Game Day Tidbits: The Rockets have scored 25 goals in six games this season. That’s the second most goals scored per game in the WHL behind only the Portland Winterhawks. The Rockets average 4.1 goals per game while the Hawks average 4.7 goals per game…In case you were wondering, the Rockets have scored 25 goals in six games, 6 more than at the same time last year….The Rockets have allowed 22 goals against this season after six games, three more than at the same time last season…Six of Stepan Novotny’s seven goals this season have been scored on home ice. Novotny has 26 career goals, 16 of which have been scored at Prospera Place…Goaltender Adam Brown has played in all six games this season…Four of the Rockets next five games are on home ice…Ryan Huska coached in his 150th WHL game Saturday night in Chilliwack. Huska has 88 regular season victories…Cody Chikie scored his first WHL goal in last Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Blazers. Chikie has played 15 games with the Saskatoon Blades over the last two seasons, yet is still considered a WHL rookie…The Rockets acquired 19 year-old Tyler Matheson from Saskatoon September 28th for a 7th round draft pick in 2010...Rookie defenseman Colton Jobke is wearing the same number that Shea Weber wore when he broke in with the Rockets as a 17 year-old rookie. Weber wore #6 before eventually switching to #2... Kyle Verdino plays in his 100th career game tonight. Verdino is still looking for his first WHL goal. In case you are wondering, the longest wait for a Rockets defenseman before scoring a goal goes to Brett Palin. It took 163 games before Palin scored his first WHL goal.

Like father like son

Chilliwack Bruins GM/head coach Marc Habscheid isn't breaking new ground by coaching his son Zach at the WHL level, but it is somewhat unique. I spoke to Marc and Zach about the father/son-coach/player relationship.

Marc, tell me about acquiring Zach from Swift Current and how you see him evolving as a player?

"I treat him like everybody else. Probably a little bit harder on him than everyone else. He knows the deal. After I got the job and acquired his rights in Chilliwack he looked at me and said, dad where would I play if I don't make the team? He know he has to earn his strips and if he's not good enough he won't play and if he's good enough he will play. Like any of my players, if he needs a kick in the pants he will get that, if he needs a pat on the back he will get that too."

Does Zach use you as a resource because of the success you've had? Why wouldn't he listen to you?

"Because he's a teenager (chuckle). He's like other teenagers. Dad's don't no nothing if they are the head coach or they have played or whatever. Dad's just don't know that much. He's a good kid though. He listens, but he's like any teenager."

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Zach tell me about playing for your dad?

"It's unique. It can be frustrating at the same time because a lot of people think he gives me a lot of favours, which he doesn't, and I don't expect any at all. Saying that, it's fun and exciting at the same time."

What were your thoughts this year of making the Chilliwack Bruins?

"I knew it would be hard from the start. Back in Swift Current it wasn't easy there. I had high expectations for myself and I was expecting to make the team because I had a really good off season and I had a great year last year."

Your dad was a forward as a junior and NHL player, so why did you move to defense?

"I didn't have the hands he used too (chuckle). I was always a big guy on the ice so I thought I would move back to the point as it would work more in my favour."

Did you remember much about your dad's playing career?

"I think I know more about his success as a coach. I've been around it, but as a player he accomplished a lot but I wasn't around for that. I will never forget the night the Rockets won the Memorial Cup. I still remember the countdown, and when the Rockets scored to make it 2-1 with seven minutes left in the third period. It was the longest seven minutes of my life."

Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho it's 3 wins in a row

• Head coach Ryan Huska celebrated his 150th WHL game behind the Kelowna Rockets bench Saturday night with a 7-2 win over the Chilliwack Bruins. After a scoreless opening period the Rockets took over, scoring four times in the second period and three times in the final frame for their 3rd win of the season.
• After going winless in their first 3 games (0-2-1-0), the Rockets have now won three straight. Rookie Brett Bulmer scored twice and added an assist as the Rockets improved to 3-2-1-0.
• Eleven Rockets found the score sheet Saturday night with rookie Jessey Astles scoring his first WHL goal. Astles goal opened the scoring.
• Five of the Rockets seven goals were scored by first year players.
• The Rockets seven goal outburst on the road matched a similar result last season when the Rockets beat the Cougars in Prince George (Nov 21 2008) by a score of 7-3.
• Brandon McMillan extended his point streak to five games. McMillan has 8 assists in those five games. McMillan has enjoyed a 5 game point streak three times in his career.
• McMillan was fortunate to escape injury after Bruins forward Randy McNaught blasted him into the side boards halfway through the opening period. McNaught was given a 2 minute minor for boarding, but it looked like a charge from where I was sitting. Either way McNaught also sat for an extra 5 minutes when he took part in a scrap with Tyler Matheson, who engaged with McNaught after the hit was made. McNaught was trying to stir up a hornets nest early in the game when he attempted to send Rockets rookie d-man Colton Jobke through the end boards about four minutes into the game.
• Just over 31 hundred fans took in the game in Chilliwack Saturday night. I can't believe that many people were actually in attendance, but if that was the paid attendance, I'll buy it.
  The Rockets have not lost in regulation time to the Bruins in 11 games.
• Kyle Verdino will play in his 100th WHL game Wednesday against Medicine Hat. Verdino is still looking for his first career goal.

Defensive miscues provide no lack of goals

• Kyle St. Denis scored three times as the Rockets beat the Chilliwack Bruins 6-4 Friday night. It was St-D's first career hat trick. St. Denis has had three-two goal games but never a three goal effort. The 19 year-old was due after failing to score in the Rockets first four games.
• Linemate Shane McColgan had a career high three points. McColgan had a goal and two assist playing on a line with Brett Bulmer and St. Denis. McColgan simply gets better every time I see him.
• Defensive miscues were the name of the game, with both teams struggling in that department. It made for entertaining hockey, but this game won't go down as a defensive gem.
• Rave reviews from Rockets Head Coach Ryan Huska when speaking of rookie defenseman Colton Jobke. Huska says the 17 year-old has been the teams "best defenseman". With Tyson Barrie out with an injury, Jobke is eating up huge minutes and is rising to the challenge. What has me concerned is if Jobke is the best defenseman, what does that say about some of the veterans?
• These two teams didn't come out passive with no less than four fighting majors in this game. The most spirited tilt of the evening was when Curt Gogol and Randy McNaught came flying out of the penalty box's after serving two minute minors and began trading punches at center ice. Was that fight pre-meditated? Ya!
• It was great to see Bruins GM/Head Coach Marc Habscheid before the game. We go way back so the reunion of sorts with an extended talk before game time was nice. Habscheid hasn't lost his sense of humour though, telling me during our coaches interview that he missed me like a 'root canal' during his time with Hockey Canada and the Boston Bruins. Or was he joking? :)
• Zach Habscheid, the son of Bruins Head Coach/GM Marc Habscheid earned his first career WHL goal with a seeing-eye slap shot in the 3rd period. Zach must have been doing cart wheels inside considering he watched many a game at Prospera Place and now found himself on the ice facing the very team he watched as a kid. What made the goal even more special was the fact that his mom Erin was also in attendance.
• I spoke to Zach before the game and found it interesting that he is being billeted out by the team. It's probably a wise decision that he be treated like any other player rather than heading home with the coach after every practice or game. I'll feature a transcript with both Zach and Marc Habscheid on their father/son-player/coach relationship on Monday.

Rockets game notes vs. Bruins

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets and Bruins are meeting for the first of eight times this season (4 at home and 4 on the road). These two teams clash tomorrow night in Chilliwack before meeting again November 6th at Prospera Place. The Rockets and Bruins met 8 times last season, with the Rockets going 6-0-0-2. The Rockets were 3-0-0-1 at home last season against the Bruins, out-scoring them 17-6. The Rockets have not lost in regulation time to the Bruins in 9 games. The last time the Bruins earned two points against their BC Division opponent was February 9, 2008 in a 4-1 win in Kelowna. The Rockets are coming off a 5-0 win last Saturday over the Kamloops Blazers. Stepan Novotny had two goals and an assist in the team’s first win of the season. Adam Brown made 23 saves for his 3rd career shutout. Brown’s two other shutouts came against the Bruins last season. Following a home-and-home series against the Bruins, the Rockets host the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday.

Welcome Home Haber: Marc Habscheid was hired as the head coach of the Kelowna Rockets on November 29, 1998, just a day after the Rockets were blown out 7-0 by Moose Jaw. Habscheid’s first win behind the Rockets bench would come in his first game, a 5-3 victory over Red Deer. Habscheid was only 4 regular season games shy of 300 behind the Rockets bench when he left the team following a Memorial Cup championship in 2003-2004. Habschied coached 296 regular season games with the Rockets, winning 184 times. That’s a winning percentage of .622.

More on Marc: Did you know Habscheid was drafted in the 6th round of the 1981 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers? The Oilers used their first pick that year to select goaltender Grant Fuhr. In the 1981 draft the Winnipeg Jets selected Dale Hawerchuk first overall. Habscheid scored 64 goals with the Saskatoon Blades during the 1981-82 season.

Sabre-toothed Tyler: Nineteen year-old defenseman Tyler Myers will start the season with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Myers made the Sabres 23 man roster and has 9 games to prove he can play at that level or be returned to the Rockets. Myers was the Sabres first round pick in the 2008 NHL draft.

Long Gone: The Kelowna Rockets have lost last years leading scorer Colin Long to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. Long signed a pro deal on Thursday. The Rampage is the farm team of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes.

Game Day Tidbits: All six of Stepan Novotny’s goals this season have been scored on home ice. Novotny has 25 career goals, 16 of which have been scored at Prospera Place…Tyson Barrie, Mitchell Chapman and Max Adolph were all injured in last Fridays 4-1 loss in Kamloops…Forward Evan Bloodoff had knee surgery last Friday and will be sidelined for close to 6 months…Defenseman Kyle Verdino returned to the Rockets lineup last Saturday in a 5-0 win over the Blazers are suffering a broken hand and ankle in a serious car accident this summer in Arizona…Goaltender Adam Brown has played in all four games this season…Brandon McMillan has earned a point in the three games he’s played this season. McMillan has four assists in three games …The Rockets face a BC Division opponent in 4 of their next 5 games. The only non-division game is October 7th when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers…Five of the Rockets next seven games are on home ice…Ryan Huska will coach his 150th WHL game behind the Rockets bench Saturday in Chilliwack. Huska has 86 regular season victories…Cody Chikie scored his first WHL goal in Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Blazers. Chikie has played 15 games with the Saskatoon Blades over the last two seasons, yet is still considered a WHL rookie…The Rockets acquired 19 year-old Tyler Matheson from Saskatoon on Monday for a 7th round draft pick in 2010. Matheson is making his Rockets debut tonight.

By the Numbers: The Rockets are playing their 1013th regular season game tonight based in the city of Kelowna. The Rockets played their 1000th regular season game against the Rebels in Red Deer February 27/09. The Rockets are celebrating their 19th season as a franchise after being granted an expansion team for the start of the 1991-92 campaign. Tonight’s game is #1301 in Rockets history (Tacoma/Kelowna combined).

Calling 'Long' distance

Here is my conversation with San Antonio Rampage forward Colin Long.

Colin Long 'officially' signs

Colin Long officially signed with the Coyotes today. Congrats. Let the pro career begin.

It's only one night of hockey but...

I had to check the attendance numbers after seeing what appeared to be low crowds at all four venues Wednesday night in the Western Hockey League.

In Edmonton, 3285 fans showed up. At the same time last season 5317 fans took in the Oil Kings second home game of the season. That's a difference of -2032.

In Kamloops 4002 fans took in Wednesday's game. At the same time last year 4394 fans showed up. That's a difference of -392.

In Moose Jaw 2141 took in Wednesday's game. At the same time last year 2435 watched the Warriors 3rd home game of the season. A difference of -294.

In Prince Albert, a small crowd of 1800 watched the Pats beat the Raiders 9-3. That the same time last year 2178 watched the Raiders 4th home game of the season. A difference of -378.

Overall - if you compare the four games played Wednesday night to the attendance numbers from one year ago, we witnessed an overall drop of 3096 fans in just one night. OK, enough math. My head hurts.

*In Kelowna for game one this season:6227. Last season: 6188 or +39 more fans this year.
*In Kelowna for game two this season: 6102. Last season: 6026 or +76 more fans this year.

Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• With Colin Long’s return in doubt, the Kelowna Rockets surely will be filling his departure with a 20 year-old __________. Should the Rockets fill that spot with a d-man or a forward? Lucas Bloodoff and Mark Guggenberger are the two overagers on this years team. October 15th is the deadline for teams to pair down to three 20 year-olds.
• Mark Guggenberger starts skating with the team Thursday, which begs this question. What happens when you have three goaltenders on the ice? Someone gets the shaft when it comes to getting reps in practice. The crease gets a little more crowded when Guggenberger returns.
• Kyle Verdino must hate Canadian billionaire Jim Ballsillie. The Kelowna Rockets d-man has been watching Ballsille unsuccessful attempt to move his Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton. Verdino is a Phoenix resident while his mom and dad are, or were, Coyote season ticket holders.
• I am looking forward to seeing Zach Habscheid play this weekend. Mark Habscheid’s son is in his rookie season with the Chilliwack Bruins and is slowly making strides under the watchful eye of his father. I'll speak to both of them about that father/son - coach/player relationship on Friday.
• Speaking of the Bruins, man am I hungry for pizza. The best pizza in the league can be found at Prospera Centre. Now if only Bruins play-by-play man Randy Merkley would stop spitting on me from the broadcast booth above!
• If you are going to have early season struggles, its best to do it out of the watchful eye of your devoted fans. While the Lethbridge Hurricanes are winless in six games this season they can iron out all the problems on the road.
• I needed to sit down when I read last week what broadcaster Rod Pedersen was doing. After calling a WHL game in Regina Friday night, traveling to Edmonton to call the Riders game Saturday and then returning to Regina to call a Pats game on Sunday, I was exhausted just reading it. I feel sorry for the guy. If I hear he is also helping local farmers harvest this years crop, I'm going to call the authorities. Is CKRM radio running a sweatshop?
• Feeling a sense of deja vu Rockets fans? If Tyler Myers makes the Sabres this season it will mark the second straight year the team has lost a 19 year-old defenseman. Who’s next? Tyson Barrie?
• I spoke to the WHL Commissioner before the start of the season about the economy potentially taking its toll on ticket sales across the league. At the time Ron Robison said season ticket sales were neutral - not up nor down - league wide. I am no statistician – hello Allan Caldwell - but the number of fans watching games in the first two weeks of the season must be down from a year ago. While season ticket sales may not be down league wide, walk up sales must be taking a kicking.
• I really like the new Rockets website. The addition of articles from the two local newspapers makes it a must read for hockey fans. As one season ticket holder told me, he can now cancel his subscription to the Daily Courier as he can find the articles for free on the Rockets website. The video highlights the following day are also a great addition.
• The goaltender that lost to the Kelowna Rockets in the 2003 WHL championship signed a big deal today. Cam Ward is 38 million dollars richer after signing a new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Ward was in goal when the Rockets beat the Rebels in 6 games on 2003. I knew he was a good goaltender then, but not that good.

Myers a Sabres...for now.

An injury to a veteran defenseman means Tyler Myers will start the season with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
Veteran Toni Lydman has a hand injury and is unavailable for the teams season opening game Saturday against Montreal - opening the door for Myers.
Myers can play in 9 regular season games before the Sabres must decide whether to keep him for the remainder of the season or returning him to the Kelowna Rockets.

The new guy

Convo with Mark Guggenberger

Other notes:

• Troy Bodie will start the season as a teammate of Colin Long. Bodie was sent down to the San Antonio Rampage today. The Rampage is the farm team for both the Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks. Bodie is Ducks property.
• Randall Gelech was at Rockets practice today. The man that scored one of two goals in the Rockets 2-1 win over Gatineau in the 2004 Memorial Cup is still looking for a place to play. Gelech was expected to join the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL, but is now looking possibly at playing in Germany.
• Evan Bloodoff took in Tuesday's practice, as an observer. Bloodoff underwent surgery on his right knee last Friday and will need about 6 months to recover.
• I spoke to 19 year-old Tyler Matheson today. I will share that interview with you tomorrow.

Talking with Coyotes assistant gm Brad Treliving