Solid in shutout victory

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• The Kelowna Rockets had tremendous push back in a game where the Blazers often dominate physically. The Rockets proved to themselves and likely the Blazers too, that they won't be a pushover. Teddy Brennan led the physical assault with Mark Liwiski and leading scorer Kyle Topping getting into the act. Even an elbow by Nolan Foote on Kamloops d-man Sean Strange was a sign that the home team wasn't about to be knocked around. I know many won't subscribe to this theory, but sometimes the best way to deal with a bully is to feed them with a dose of their own medicine. Mission accomplished.
• You often don't see the value in a player until they are out of the line up for an extended period of time with an injury. Teddy Brennan falls into that category. Making an impact physically, his size and power is a significant upgrade on a team that has a core of younger players that play timid. With only one goal this season, Brennan brought an aspect of the game that he excels at by being a bull in a china shop. 
• Liam Kindree is a player that is missed when he is not in the top six. After sitting out 9 games with a broken nose, the skill set he provides with a team largely void in offensive talent is noticeable when he's watching from the sidelines. Kindree has arguably the softest hands on the roster with his passing as good as any of the teams 19 skaters. Since his return, the 18 year-old has points in three straight games. 
• Make it 31 goals for Nolan Foote. Impressive, considering Jamie Benn had 33 goals in his 18 year-old season with the Kelowna Rockets. A season later, Benn would score 42 times and was a dominant, angry force. Foote isn't there yet, but if he can play with a little more bite, who knows what type of goal totals he can put up. Foote has goals in three straight games. 
• While Kyle Topping and Leif Mattson failed to hit the score sheet last night, both played a large role in last night's win. What I liked most is their work ethic and ability to creating scoring chances for themselves and others. Mattson does the little things like playing the right way for team success. Getting pucks deep and accepting passes and making sure he gains the red line (small detail) before dumping them into the offensive zone before going for a line change is noticeable. 
• Mark Liwiski has 9 goals. Essentially 6 of them have been scored in the last month. The key to his success is while remaining physical, which is his bread and butter, Liwiski is also shooting the puck more. Three shots on net against the Blazers is impressive for his skill set.
• Roman Basran had a strong game. An 18 save performance allowed him to earn his 3rd career shutout. Why was Basran so good? His rebound control was solid and he didn't over commit in making a save. In plain English, he let the puck hit him. Often one to make a save look harder than it should be, Basran was calm and cool, which won't earn him highlite reel saves, but if the objective is to get drafted, sometime less is indeed more. A quieter game is a good thing.   
• Shael Higson continues to impress. The 20 year-old d-man has been terrific over the last 6 games with his smart decisions with the puck and his ability to create offense. While not flawless, Higson is showing us glimpses as to why he was named the Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman of the year in 2017-2018. The knock on Higson was he was often undisciplined. I don't see that in his game. I do like that he plays with piss and vinegar though and that certain snarl should never be squashed.  
• The Rockets have won 3 of their last 4 games heading into the month of March where the team will play its final 8 games over 16 days. 
• Leif Mattson led all Rockets with 3+8=11 in February. Nolan Foote (6+2=8) Kyle Topping (2+6=8) and Alex Swetlikoff (3+5=8) had 8 points apiece in February. Lassi Thomson had 5+2=7 during the month.
• The Rockets are 6-4-1-0 in Saturday home games.
• The Rockets ended the month of February with a 6-5-0-0 record.