Happy home opener playing Hub Hockey

Alex Swetlikoff - Shoot the Breeze photo

• Kris Mallette has often said this abbreviated WHL season is all about development. The Kelowna Rockets head coach would agree that winning is a bonus. It was close to a dominating effort last night at Prospera Place in a 5-0 shutout win against the visiting Victoria Royals. It was the opening game for both teams, but it was the Rockets that owned the puck the majority of the night. Alex Swetlikoff scored twice, as the home team built up period leads of 2-0 and 4-0 before the 19 year-old closed out the scoring with a little insurance in the third. Cole Schwebius earned the win in goal with a 19 save shutout, with his best work in the opening period.
• Swetlikoff's two goal game was the second of his career. The Kelowna kid had a multiple goal game February 6, 2019 against Spokane when he picked up 2+1=3. 
• Talk about making the most of your chances. 'Sweaty' scored two goals on just two shots. A 100% shooting efficiency rate looks impressive.
• Speaking of shooting, the Rockets d-core fired 15 shots on net over the course of the game. Jake Lee and Elias Carmichael found pay dirt with goals. Carmichael led the Rockets d-core with 4 shots on net while Sean Comrie, Jake Lee and Jackson DeSousa had three shots apiece. If they keep this up, we may want to name the Rockets d-core the 'd-score'.
• Cole Schwebius' shutout was the second of his career. His first came against the Royals on October 30, 2019 with a 33 save performance.
• The Rockets have never opened a season with a shutout at home. Yep, last night's effort was a franchise first. The Rockets only had one home ice shutout last season. Roman Basran made 19 saves in a 6-0 win over visiting Seattle. The date was March 6, 2020.
• How good was 15 year-old Andrew Cristall last night? A two assist effort in his debut. Cristall had the luxury of playing with Swetlikoff and Dillon Hamaliuk. Insolating the smallish skilled forward was a great move by the coaching staff.   
• While Cristall was terrific, so was 17 year-old Nolan Flamand. The second round bantam pick had a great game with several glorious chances including a breakaway, which he failed to score on. But hey, the failed attempt isn't the thing here. The fact he was in that position is the beautiful part. Flamand earned his first career assist on Elias Carmichael's second period goal. Before his season was shut down due to COVID-19, Flamand had 2+3=5 in four games with the Saskatoon Midget Blazers. 
• It was nice to see Steel Quiring score. The 18 year-old from Vernon had success with the Okanagan Rockets with 21 goals in 25 games two seasons ago, but that doesn't necessary translate into success at this level. A 5th round pick in 2018, its really time for him to show he can play at this level. Last night, Quiring had two shots on net. He had 1 shot on net in his previous 15 games with the team, which included two stints - 12 games last season and in 2018-2019 when he dressed in three games.
• The two teams combined for just 9 shots in the third period. Some coaches would consider that strong defensive hockey, but the best two periods were clearly the opening 40 minutes. I get playing systematic hockey and it can't be fire wagon with zero structure, but allow these guys to create and blow off some steam by bringing a quick skating approach to the game. 
• The Rockets now get set for a road game Sunday in Kamloops. This will be weird. The opponent is the Vancouver Giants, a 7-3 loser to the Kamloops Blazers Friday night. The Rockets had little to no success last season at Sandman Centre. Let's hope 'Hub Hockey' turns the tide in their favour with a solid effort. We will be on the air with the pre-game show at 5:45 pm with the drop of the puck at 6:00 pm.