Are the Rockets a top tier team?

Photo of Kris Mallette taken before pandemic

I had to ask the question, even though I knew what the answer would be. In a pre-game interview with Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette, we talked about what appears to be two tiers in the BC Division. The first tier is comprised of elite teams like Kamloops and Vancouver. The second tier is Prince George and Victoria. Where do the Rockets fit into the mix with only a handful of games under their belt? Mallette didn't hesitate when asked where his team belongs. "Absolutely", in believing his team should be considered a top tier team. "I know our team can compete". The likable coach wasn't just blowing smoke. His team went out and did it, earning a 4-3 win last night over the hard charging Vancouver Giants. Mark Liwiski scored the game winner 5 minutes into the third period. From there, goaltender Cole Schwebius held the fort and puck management and defending were rock solid. Was it the biggest win of the season for the Rockets? In my opinion - darn tootin'.

• What made the win so impressive? No excuses, but the Rockets were playing the second game of back-to-backs. The statistics show the team having a day between games is far fresher and typically come out on the winning end.
• The Rockets put four pucks past Trent Miner. Remember, coming into last nights game, the 20 year-old had a goals against average (1.18) that was the best in the WHL with four shutouts.
• The Twitter police were out in full force last night. I suggested on the broadcast that Miner was indeed 20. A Giants fan quickly attempted to call me out before deleting the tweet as Miner turned 20 in early February.  
• Two of the Rockets four goals came from defencemen. Kaeden Korczak's goal was massive to tie the score at two, especially after surrendering a shorthanded goal from Justin Sourdif after having the luxury of three consecutive power plays. 
• The Rockets were down 3-2 heading into the third. Again, statistically the percentages works against you when trailing heading into the final period. Striking twice in the opening five minutes was impressive. Jake Lee takes matters into his own hands with a nice individual effort to tie the score and then Liwiski pots his 5th on a lost face-off by hurrying to a loose puck and chipping it, blocker side, on Miner. Liwiski is now tied with Trevor Wong for the team lead in goals. I didn't see that coming.
• How about Kris Mallette throwing out rookie Turner McMillen on the ice in an effort to protect a one goal lead late in the game? What does that say about McMillen? What does that say about Mallette having the confidence to throw the 16 year-old out there. Wow!!
• Kaeden Korczak was the first star last night. Sure his goal was huge, but his defensive play was the reason why he was one of the best players on the ice. His bread and butter at the NHL level will not be about scoring. It won't. If he wants to earn a paycheck at that level, he must be able to defend. While the Rockets are benefitting from having his calm presence back on the blue-line, it must be Christmas morning for rookie John Babcock. The 16 year-old is Korzy's d-partner. 
•  Tyson Feist is really growing on me as a player. I really thought his skills were limited last season. He could fight and looked like a 6 or 7th d-man. Something happened though. I don't know what it is, but he is showing way more offensive flair that I anticipated. Not without his fair share of warts as a player, he competes hard and is getting power play time. Feist is also getting a lot of his shots through to the net from the blue-line. I would say the 20 year-old (turned 20 in January) has been a pleasant surprise after I considered him a small piece when he was acquired in a trade with Regina at last years trade deadline. 
• Dillon Hamaliuk has elevated his play. How? Shooting the puck! A team high 6 shots last night and 12 in his last three games. Any wonder why he has goals in back-to-back games? Hammer's best work is from in-tight. Not much flash and dash in his game. Good hands and a bull like mentality makes him an impactful player. 
• Odd man rushes. When the Rockets have had one, more times than not, the puck carrier has shot it. Love it. Nothing worse than trying to pass the puck in an effort to make a pretty play. If the defenceman is cutting off the shooting lane, blast it on net and get the rebound. To be honest, I can't remember a two-on-one this season where the Rockets puck carrier hasn't shot it. Again, love it. 
• Props to the officiating staff last night. Sure, sure, the teams also dictate how the game is called, but Jeff Ingram and Mark Pearce stayed out of the way. They didn't over-officiate the game. Four minor penalties were called. FOUR!!! Beautiful. Could their have been more? Maybe, but they would have been 'ticky-tacky'. It was the quickest game of the season. Two hours and 12 minutes and the game was complete.
• In the Rockets five wins this season, they have out-scored  the opponent 28-11.
• The Rockets host Victoria Tuesday night. Ok, technically the Royals are the home team, but you get what I'm putting down.