Opening December with road win

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• James Porter Junior's mom and dad were featured on the 'Kiss Cam' Friday night in Spokane. On cue, they proudly displayed their affection for one another. On the ice, 17 year-old son James was proudly displaying his goaltending skills by making several five alarm saves in the Kelowna Rockets 4-2 road win. Porter was especially good early in the game when it was scoreless and allowed his team to find their footing for their fourth consecutive win. Porter, named the third star, was extremely quick down low and made several stops look easy including a low glove hand grab on Chiefs forward Jared Anderson-Dolan in the second period on a nice setup from Riley Woods. Overall, Porter's rebound control, which is still a work in progress, is getting better by the game. That is good news for the Rockets and not so good news for the opposition.
• While the Chiefs opened the scoring with 1:04 left in the first period, you had the feeling that the Rockets were dialed in and would eventually stop the bleeding. The passing was better. The work ethic was there and despite failing to score on two early power play chances, you could tell as a group, the chances of success by winning in a building where they lost 6-2 just nine days ago was very high. While again getting into penalty trouble, specifically in the second and third period, the penalty killing unit was terrific. Shot blocking. Attempting to get into shooting lanes and getting pucks on sticks destined for the Rockets net made for a frustrating night for the Chiefs. 
• Carsen Twarynski scored his team leading 19th goal of the season to open the scoring for the visitors. The 20 year-old's laser beam wrister from just inside the blue-line caught everyone by surprise including the Chiefs starting goaltender. Nolan Foote had a similar shot that went glove hand side to make the score 2-1. The third goal of the period was the one I really liked considering the Rockets rarely score that way. The puck was centered in front of the Chiefs net by Kyle Topping. Dillon Dube whacked at it before line-mate Liam Kindree banged it home for a 3-1 lead. Those goal mouth scramble goals, which many teams are able to manufacture against the Rockets, are the ones I wish the team was able to execute more often. They won't make the high-lite reel, but it often demonstrates the hunger level or willingness to generate offense, rather than always looking for the picture perfect pass or perimeter shot attempt.
• Dillon Dube is simply dialed in right now. He is scary good. Many players can skate fast, but Dube can do it with the puck. The shorthanded goal he scored Friday night was a beauty on a two-on-one with Connor Bruggen-Cate. Dube held onto the puck, waited for Chiefs d-man Ty Smith to slid by him in an effort to cut off a pass, and then wired a wrist shot low to the blocker side of Spokane netminder Donavan Buskey. It was the Rockets 4th shorthanded goal in four games and 6th this season. The Brandon Wheat Kings lead the league with 9.
• Speaking of Dube, I was watching him in the morning skate and how he works on individual skills once the team drills are over. Is that why he is so good? I think so. Whether it's working on one-timers or continuing to improve the edges in his skating, it is that type of focus which translates into games. The preparation to perform at an above average level doesn't start at 5 pm when the player arrives at the rink. Dube's day starts much earlier. It would be great for other younger players to pick up on what the 19 year-old is doing. Being productive in practice is something that the Calgary Flames second rounder has perfected. 
• How about Rockets rookie Colum McGauley attempting to fight Chiefs tough guy Riley McKay? McKay leads the WHL in fighting majors with 8, but the 17 year-old McGauley didn't care. In a quick tilt where neither player had the upper hand, McGauley deserves some props for electing to fight McKay, who had 17 tilts a season ago.  
• Ty Smith again impressed me last night. The 17 year-old is so good with his decision making. The Spokane Chiefs d-man appeared to be more active offensively in last night's game which makes him a duel threat. I think he is a terrific player who is guaranteed to be taken in the opening round of June's draft. My hope is Rockets rookie d-man Kaedan Korczak can eventually become close to what Smith has evolved into. With more playing time and an additional boost in confidence, I think the now 16 year-old can become a threat at both ends of the ice in his sophomore season. Right now it's best that Korczak keeps his game simple. The 'Kiss Principle' never goes out of style. 
• The Rockets arrived back in Kelowna in the early morning hours for a home game tonight against the Kootenay Ice. Once playoff rivals when the Ice played in the BC Division, these two teams see each other but once a a season. The Rockets want to win their 10th consecutive home game tonight while celebrating in style considering it's 'Teddy Bear Toss' night at Prospera Place. It is the final home game before embarking on a Eastern Division road trip next Friday against Regina.