Things that make me go hmm...

• We knew Myles Bell was a valuable component of the Kelowna Rockets, but we may have slightly underestimated how much he really means to the team. Without him, the power play looked lost Saturday night and that added offensive threat allowed the opposition to focus their attention on Zach Franko and Colton Sissons. Every time Bell is on the ice you have to respect him. Even if he's shut down, it still creates room for those around him. I still think Colton Sissons is the heart of this team, but Bell's value is immense. 
• While the Rockets suffered a overtime loss in Vancouver, the team has still earned a point in nine straight games. It is still a pretty impressive run. The team is 8-0-1-0 over that stretch. They still haven't come away from a game with no points since a 6-2 loss in Calgary on the final game before Christmas.      
• It shouldn't happen, but this broadcaster takes successes or failures more personally the longer the season rolls along. When you eat, travel and spend time with the 24 players and coaches of the Kelowna Rockets you become increasingly invested in every win and every loss. Separating yourself is tough to do. You want them to win. You want them to succeed. So when the team falls flat on their face against a team they should beat, you take it personally. I know the coaches weren't happy after a 4-3 overtime loss in Vancouver, but honestly, I didn't feel much better. 
• Losing a game with the Rockets wearing their red - third jersey is a rarity. They wore them Saturday in a 4-3 overtime loss in Vancouver. I don't have any data on their winning percentage when they put on the 'reds', but losses are few and far between.  
• Madison Bowey will make us proud at the CHL Top Prospects game Wednesday in Halifax. Bowey follows in the footsteps of Shea Weber, Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, Brandon McMillan, Tyson Barrie, Damon Severson and Colton Sissons that have participated in the showcase. 
• I wonder how tickets sales for that event are going in Halifax. Do you remember last year (Jan 1/Feb 1st) when the event was held in Kelowna and ticket sales were extremely slow? At the end of the day just over 5 thousand fans took in the game itself. A non-sellout didn't sit well with organizers.
• We've seen it happen twice in Prince George this season where players have decided to quit the team. While some will say it is only a PG Cougars problem, isn't it a league problem? Doesn't it not look bad on all WHL operators? I am not sure what the league can do, but it has to be concerning that players and their parents are deciding the best thing to do if you are unhappy with playing time or generally the way you are being treating is to quit! While it doesn't make the team/league look good, don't fool yourself, the player looks like a shlump too.
• Isn't it funny how Colton Sissons is hit into the side boards against Moose Jaw and misses 10 games with no penalty/suspension to the offending player. Friday night against Tri City, Myles Bell receives a suspension after a hit on Americans d-man Zachary Yuen. Yuen is hurt on the play but returns in the third period. The Winnipeg Jets draft pick then scores a goal and adds an assist Sunday against  Seattle.
• The Rockets face the Spokane Chiefs in a home and home series this week. The Chiefs are in Kelowna Wednesday before the Rockets make their first of two visits to Spokane on Friday night. The Chiefs picked up a player at the trade deadline that sure would have looked good with the Rockets considering they have one import spot open. European forward Alessio Bertaggia was picked up from Brandon. The Slovanian will make his Chiefs debut against the Rockets Wednesday night.
• The Kelowna Rockets organization doesn't like playing home games on Sunday but Thursday seems to a popular alternative. Eight home games are schedule for Thursday at Prospera Place. 
• Busy week for birthdays. Austin Glover turns 17 tomorrow (Jan 15) and Riley Stadel also turns 17 on Wednesday (Jan 16). 
• The Novice Tigers want to thank five members of the Kelowna Rockets for coming out to skate with them Sunday at Skate Masters in West Kelowna. Jordon Cooke, Myles Bell, Tyson Baillie, Cole Linaker and Jesse Lees put a smile on the face of the minor hockey players during a casual skate.