Rockets roll over Royals

D-man Shael Higson celebrates 300th game with a goal in 5-2 win

• Victoria Royals Head Coach Dan Price was feeling a little uneasy Monday afternoon despite a 10 point cushion on the Kelowna Rockets for second place in the BC Division. In a pre-game interview before the two teams clashed in a BC Family Day afternoon affair, Price also didn't agree with the suggestion that these two teams are on a collision course for a date in the opening round of the WHL playoffs. "We don't feel like their is breathing room there at all", when speaking about the significant lead for second with a month left in the season. "I know their has been a lot of talk about that (playoff match-up). I think we are too far out to look at it that way. If it was the last two games or four games to go in the season, that would be the case. With this many games to go, its just about two teams trying to accumulate points", Price added."
• Agree or disagree, the Kelowna Rockets improved to 5 and 2 against the Royals following a 5-2 win Monday afternoon at Save On Food Memorial Centre. Kyle Topping, Mark Liwiski and Lassi Thomson each had a goal and an assist, snapping a two game losing streak and handing the Royals a loss after back-to-back wins in Prince George Friday and Saturday night. In my opinion, it looked like two tired teams. The play was often choppy and the passing was nowhere at the level it needs to be this late in the season. The Rockets were able to grind it out for their third straight win in Victoria this season. At the end of the day, they don't ask how, just how many. 
• James Porter was in net Monday afternoon for a rare appearance against the Royals. Roman Basran has had all the success, up until Monday, with four wins against Victoria and a goals against average of under one. But with three games in four night's playing a factor, Porter was called into duty and played well in the teams 24th win of the season. 
• It was nice to see 20 year-old defenceman Shael Higson score his first goal in a Kelowna Rockets uniform. Playing in his 300 career WHL game, Higson had a terrific effort and was rewarded with power play time because of it. 
• I really liked the game winning goal. Rookie Ethan Ernst had a determined effort to keep the puck inside the zone which allowed Dallon Wilton to pick it up and find leading scorer Kyle Topping alone behind the Royals defence. One quick move by Topping on the forehand and the Rockets were back on top midway through the third period. It was Ernst first point in 28 games, so he was clearly overdue. Good play by a player who has improved despite the lack of offensive numbers. 
• I really liked the way the Rockets defencemen were employed in the game. Sixteen of the 32 shots came from the blue line, with Lassi Thomson leading the charge with 5 and Dalton Gally firing a season high 4 pucks on goal. As previously mentioned, Shael Higson had a terrific game and probably should have been named a star in the building. Higson had 4 shots on net.
• Looking at the data, maybe we shouldn't be surprised at the number of shots Higson had on net. With the Brandon Wheat Kings earlier this season, Higson had mind blowing 9 against the Swift Current Broncos.
• Connor Bruggen-Cate found the back of the net for his first goal in 17 games. The 19 year-old was also rocked with an open ice hit by Royals d-man Jake Kustra late in the third period that may result in a suspension. The hit appeared to make contact with Bruggen-Cate's head. Kustra received a charging major. In that instance in what can be considered a dangerous, high hit, it was nice to see rookie Dallon Wilton get involved with his first WHL fight in an effort to defend a teammate. 
• Mark Liwiski continues to impress with 5 goals in his last 9 games. The majority of them are scored from the lip of the crease. It looks like the meat and potatoes Liwiski wouldn't want it any other way.          
• The Rockets played the game without Liam Kindree, who ironically leads the Rockets in scoring against the Royals this season. The 18 year-old will likely play tonight after a 9 game absence with a broken beak.