Biggest win of the season? Yep!

Cindy Rogers Photography

• We only have seven to choose from, but last night's 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Brandon Wheat Kings is clearly the biggest victory of the season for the Kelowna Rockets. Surrendering two power play goals against just 9 minutes into the opening face-off could have turned into a nightmare for the home team, but the belief system with this group gradually continues to grow. It was clearly evident last night something is happening in that room. Instead of relenting and waving the white flag, the Rockets stormed back with two goals, one with 12 seconds left in the first period and a power play goal less than three minutes into the second period and it was - game on! A slow start was followed by an impressive finish as Kyle Topping's power play with 1:10 left on the clock powered the Rockets to their third straight win and fifth in six games. This game was a confidence builder as they head out on the road where adversity will stare them squarely in the face with 6 straight games on opposition ice. 
• I was wondering if the Wheat Kings were prime for the picking heading into Saturday's game. Brandon was concluding a seven game road trip, a swing which has brought them much success which speaks volumes of how good of a hockey club they are icing this season. While possibly road weary, the Wheat Kings frankly didn't show any signs of lethargy. The Rockets, on the other hand, were at a disadvantage heading into the game with the inability to play at a competitive level for a week with no games on the schedule. Sounds good on paper right? Often times it isn't a blessing but a curse. It showed in an extremely slow start for the home team, who just looked slow and disengaged in the opening 20 minutes. Thankfully, Erik Gardiner's late first period goal seemed to wake up the Rockets from there slumber. 
• Nolan Foote scored two power play goals in the clubs 7th win of the season. The about to turn 18 year-old now has 10 goals this season, which is only three off the 13 goals last season and 9 shy of his career high set in his 16 year-old season. Foote now has goals in 5 straight games and has collected 7 goals over that stretch. The offensive explosion comes at a great time where the soft spoken forward will suit up for Team WHL against the Russians Monday and Tuesday in Kamloops and Vancouver.
• Kyle Topping's game winner came on the power play when Brandon's Connor Gutenberg was assessed a 5 minute major and game misconduct with 4:03 left on the clock after running over Rockets forward Leif Mattson with a blindsided hit in the neutral zone. Was it five minutes worthy is debatable, but clearly it was a penalty. In a 3-3 game, why even force the officials to make a call like that by aggressively trying to separate Mattson from the puck? That's my theory. You have to be smart in that situation, knowing full well that the home teams power play had already scored two of three goals against you. There is a time to be aggressive and a time to layoff. That is a teachable moment for both teams. Sometimes you have to use your head more than your heart.  
• I thought Roman Basran was terrific in goal for the Rockets. Again, seeing no love in the three star awards at games end, the 17 year-old showed quick reflexes with several timely saves that look easy but clearly are above average stops. While out-shooting the Wheat Kings 29-24, I would suggest the quality of saves Basran had to make where significantly greater than his counterpart Jiri Patera at the other end of the ice. 
• Kyle Topping extended his point streak to 11 games with a goal and an assist. Do you remember when everyone was talking about his numbers being inflated last season after playing the majority of the time with Kole Lind? Did Topping catch wind of what was being said? I think the 19 year-old is showing many that while playing with Lind allowed him to collect a career high 65 points a season ago, he can create offense no matter who is flanked to his right or left side.          
• I thought Leif Mattson had a solid game. While he hasn't scored in 8 games, the 19 year-old had good energy and played to his strengths. Assisting on the game winning goal, I thought he was noticeable out there in the age group (19 year-old's) I am paying attention to the most. 
• The Rockets have scored 8 goals in their last two games. Of those eight, six have come on the power play. The team now owns the fourth best power unit in the WHL. Earlier this season it was 22nd or dead last. Hmm.
• Newly acquired Michael Farren has been given every opportunity to show his value with time on the teams top power play unit. The 18 year-old has yet to generate a point in eight games as a member of the Rockets after his acquisition from the Saskatoon Blades. Farren needs to be fixture on the score-sheet, specifically on this upcoming road trip for the team to have success.  Rookie Kyle Crosbie is also seeing time on the power play, but he too has no points to show for it.   
• Speaking of road trips, the Rockets head out on a massive 10 day swing this week as they travel down to Seattle for a date with the T-Birds before playing back-to-back games with the Portland Winterhawks Saturday and Sunday. Let's remember that the Kamloops Blazers, as early as last weekend, had the exact same schedule and won all three games. Impressive. Difficult but doable. The road trip is followed by a long bus ride from Portland to Prince George for a one-off game against the Cougars on a mid-week Wednesday before traveling to Red Deer and Edmonton to close things out. For those counting, that is 6 games in 9 night's. At the end of the trip the Rockets will either declare they are 'road warriors' or they will received the burning sensation of 'road rash'.