Home cook'n tasting better

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• Prospera Place may finally be - 'Home Sweet Home'. After struggling on home ice to start the season (1-3-0-1 in first 5 home games), the Kelowna Rockets have finally found the formula for success in front of their own fans. A 5-2 win over the visiting Red Deer Rebels last night extended their home ice winning streak to a modest five games. An early power play goal from Dillon Dube and then three more in the second period lifted the Rockets to their 10th win of the season. In a game where it appeared the Rockets could dominate when they wanted too, two goals in a span of :26 seconds from d-men James Hilsendager and Braydyn Chizen essentially put the game on ice. The Rebels attempted to rally back in the third period, but the game was won, or in Red Deer's case, lost in the second period when the Rockets out-shot the visitors 16-4.
• The Rockets have out-scored the opposition 25-13 during the five game home ice winning streak.
• Liam Kindree had a goal and an assist and was named the first star. It has been tough sledding for the rookie forward, who scored his first goal since opening night against Kamloops. Kindree now has points in three straight games. Playing with Dillon Dube, the 17 year-old is getting his confidence back after seeing limited ice time and being a healthy scratch for two games earlier this season.
• Kole Lind extended his point streak to 6 games with his 11th goal of the season. The way he protected the puck away from Rebels forward Jack Flaman prior to scoring was texted book. Lind has earned a point in 16 of the 19 games this season. Impressive!
• How about Kole Lind's effort shorthanded in the second period? Wow. Lind stapled the puck into the side boards inside Rebels territory with four....four....Rebels unable to pry the puck away from him. The sequence was highlighted by Red Deer forward Lukus MacKenzie roughing up Lind and taking a penalty. What I liked best about Lind's reaction was - none. No retaliation. Zero. The 19 year-old skated away as the crowd applauded. 
• Gordie Ballhorn is quietly putting a career season together. Considered a defensive defenceman with little offensive upside, the 20 year-old has racked up 14 points in 19 games. To put that in perspective, Ballhorn collected just 18 points in 103 career games coming into this season. It has really been an amazing transformation. While improving his offensive totals, Ballhorn is still an excellent defender and puck mover, but he is shooting the puck way more than a season ago. Is he not the most improved player on the roster this season?  Nineteen games into the season, the likable Ballhorn receives my vote.
• The Rockets have 10 wins after 19 games. The team had 10 wins after 19 games a season ago. The real difference is in the loss column where this year's squad has lost 6 times while last year's team had 9 setbacks after the same stretch of games. Last season the Rockets were aided by a 6 game winning streak over the first 19 games. This season, the longest winning streak is only three games.
• You have to win these games. Plain and simple, you have to beat those below you in the overall standings. This four game home stand features four opponents that the Rockets should beat in Vancouver, Red Deer, Edmonton and Lethbridge. That said, you can't mail it in or play sub par hockey in order to earn the two points, but if they play to their abilities, without question this stretch of games should result in 8 points in the bank. 
• The team announced Saturday afternoon that veteran goaltender Brodan Salmond is out for between 4 to 6 weeks with a MCL knee injury. With that update, it is clearly 17 year-old rookie James Porter's time to shine. But truthfully, hasn't he already? Porter has allowed two or fewer goals in 6 of his last 9 starts.
• The Edmonton Oil Kings provide the opposition Tuesday night.