Getting shut out on the road sucks

• Losing sucks. Losing and being shut out is even more painful. Despite a solid effort in Portland Friday night, the Kelowna Rockets fell victim to a hot goaltender and a cold power play. It all added up to a 1-0 loss to the Portland Winerhawks and a 0-2-0-1 start to the season.
• The Rockets went 0 for 6 on the power play and have just one goal with the extra man in the first three games of the season. Despite significant pressure in the third period, Winterhawks goaltender Cam Lanigan made some terrific saves for his first career WHL shutout. It marked the first time the Rockets were shut out on the road since 2010-2011 when Ty Rimmer helped the Prince George Cougars to a 3-0 victory.
• The Rockets 0-2-0-1 start isn't nothing new. In 2010-2011, the team went 0-4-0-0 in their first four games before finally winning in their fifth game of the season. Last year the Rockets won their first three games before suffering a loss in game four.
• When you can't find the back of the net you look at your leading scorers from last season or answers. Colton Sissons, who had 26 goals last season and Carter Rigby, who had 21 goals as a rookie, have failed to score a goal this season. Sissons was the hottest player one season ago when he scored seven goals in his first 10 regular season games.
• Only Kelowna, Red Deer and Vancouver have yet to taste the thrill of victory this season.
• A crowd of 62 hundred took in Friday's game in Portland.While some suggested that was a disappointing number, I think that is pretty decent considering the warm weather here in Oregon and the fact we haven't even hit October yet. 
• NHL scouts were likely watching Kelowna's Madison Bowey and Portland's Seth Jones closely last night. Jones had several miscues and showed that he has areas to improve on in his game. Bowey looked more composed and attempted to keep the game simple by not putting himself or his team in danger. Jones is a great prospect, no question, and with more playing time to help him adjust to the junior game, the 6'4 defenceman is going to be loads of fun to watch. He already is.
• It isn't often you can say Ty Rattie had a tough night, but the 19 year-old really did. You wonder how the NHL lockout has affected him and where his heart is entering his fourth season of junior hockey? In the back of his mind, Rattie must be thinking about the lockout and a possible call from the Blues to get back to St. Louis for the start of training camp when it ends.
• The 'Rose Buds' made their presents known in the first and second intermission. Best dance team in the league.      
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