Give Me Video Replay

• For the first time this season the Rockets find themselves in 6th place in the Western Conference. After focusing their energy in fending off Seattle for 4th, the Rockets have stumbled, allowing the T-Birds and now the Everett Silvertips to overtake them. The slip in the standings means if the playoffs were to begin today, the Rockets would meet Spokane in the opening round.
• Why wouldn’t the WHL look seriously at video replay for disputed goals? With the T-Birds holding a 2-1 lead, the Rockets appeared to score a goal to tie the game at two. While the red light from the goal judge went on, neither Ryan Agar nor Derek Herman were convinced that it went in and let play continue. It wasn’t until about a minute and a half later when the whistle blew, that Herman had a chat with the goal judge about the controversial play. This time the goal judge must have changed his mind, considering after the conversation was over, Herman waved off the goal.
• A pair of 19 year-old veterans were sent a clear message by the coaching staff about their lackluster play. Defenseman Tyson Dowzak was a health scratch, as was Myles MacRae. Dowzak’s lack of physical play is to blame. The 6’5 225 pound d-man has been great this season, but like the team, has fallen on tough times over the last month. MacRae has played 58 of the teams 65 games this season. Those 7 missed games are largely the cause of lackadaisical play.
• The Rockets wanted to play a physical game against the T-Birds, yet that in-your-face style resulted in unnecessary penalties. Seattle was given 9 power play chances on the night. The Rockets need to learn to play aggressive, while avoiding trips to the box.
• James McEwan returned to the lineup Saturday night and saw limited duty. After missing 25 games with a lacerated wrist, the overage forward had a permanent grin on his face anticipating his return to the lineup March 1st. Given more playing time, look for McEwan’s conditioning to improve and his feisty attitude to re-emerge.
• What does it take to get the first star in Seattle? T-Birds forward Greg Scott has to be asking that question after scoring once, setting three others and getting into a fight. Scott couldn’t have done more for his team, yet was given the games third star. Goaltender Jacob DeSerres was named the number one star, yet his best save didn’t come until the third period when he turned aside Brady Leavold on a breakaway chance.
• Speaking of Leavold, I have to give him props for his aggressive style of play. He had something going with T-Birds d-man Benn Olson all night long. Leavold’s emotion would boil over with a fight with Greg Scott late in the third, but if more of the Rockets brought the same type of intensity to the rink that Leavold did, my feeling is the Rockets wouldn’t have one win in their last 8 road games.
• It’s the best crowd I have ever seen at a Seattle Thunderbirds home game. Traditionally games involving the Rockets had crowds hovering around the 45 hundred to 5 thousand mark. On Saturday night over 61 hundred strong took in the game. To say I was impressed would be an understatement.