Gardiner's 'heads up' play leads Rockets to win

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• They say imitation is flattery. With Halloween just around the corner, it looked like Kelowna Rockets forward Erik Gardiner was attempting to look like a modern day Jason Smith. With his head coach looking on from the bench, Gardiner blocked a shot late in the third period with his head. Yes, his head! A blast from the point hit him on the helmet as he was attempting to kill off a Tri City power play. I am sure the 18 year-old didn't exactly want that particular sequence to play out that way, but the warrior mentality that was a staple in Jason Smith's playing career has clearly rubbed off on the second year winger. With many gasping in the building as Gardiner went down in considerable pain and the replay was shown on the video screen, Gardiner took off his helmet, rubbed his head a few times before eventually making his way to his feet. Surprisingly, Gardiner stayed in the game, blocked another key shot on an Americans power play in overtime and then set up Carsen Twarynski for the game winner. What a night for Gardiner, who did everything in his power to help the Rockets earn a 4-3 overtime victory while stopping the Tri City Americans 6 game winning streak. At the end of the night, Gardiner, no worse for wear, must have earned brownie points from Coach Smith who wouldn't give an inch in his playing days.
• I had a chance to see a photo of Gardiner's helmet that had a face shield attached to it when the puck came dangerously at him. The helmet, thankfully, absorbed the blow. The face shield also played a massive factor in keeping the vulnerable Gardiner safe. Can you image what may have happened if he wasn't wearing the face shield? While the shield cracked, it had to have played a roll into why he was never cut. I am always astonished by players that are forced to wear a face shield in junior but then get rid of it as soon as they play pro hockey. With your eyes so important, clearly the face shield keeps pucks and sticks from coming dangerously towards them. Last time I looked, pardon the pun, we only have one set. 
• It only seemed fitting that Gardiner assisted on the game winning goal after two heroic shot blocks, one with time ticking down in the third period and the other in overtime. Gardiner's long bomb pass from his own blue line to an awaiting Carsen Twarynski set the stage for the 20 year-old to skate in and fire a wrist shot high to Americans goaltender Patrick Dea's glove hand side. It was Twarynski's second goal of the game and fifth in two games. The third round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers had a three goal game against Portland last weekend and scored twice in last night's win.
• Dillon Dube, with a goal and an assist, was named the first star. The 19 year-old, who will captain Team WHL against the Russian Selects next month, was a force on the ice and showed off his skill when he stick handled away from two defenders at the Americans blue line. With one quick pass, Dube located Twarynski at the right face-off circle for a one timer. It was perfectly executed. 
• Again, a really good outing from rookie goaltender James Porter. The 17 year-old made several timely saves and can only really be blamed for the shorthanded goal the Americans scored in the first period. Porter made an ill-advised attempt to play the puck in the right corner in his own zone, only to pass it up the middle of the ice where Tri City forward Parker Aucoin slapped it off of Jack Cowell's stick and the puck went slowly and painfully into the wide open net. In the end the play didn't cost the team. Hey, live and learn. 
• It was nice to see the coaching staff reward second year forward Leif Mattson by bumping him up into a top six forward role in last night's win. Mattson wasn't without his flaws, but managed to score the tying goal late in the third period and also chipped in with an assist. 
• The Rockets conclude the four game home stand tonight against the visiting Prince George Cougars. These two teams had to use overtime in back-to-back games at CN Centre earlier this month where Kole Lind and Dillon Dube played hero!