Thursday, April 28, 2022

What you say? We can't?

 

Here is my theory.

You want to hear it?

If not, close the window by clicking the X on the right of your computer.

Ok, let’s proceed.

The Kelowna Rockets played some calorie-free games down the stretch. What does that mean? With nowhere to go in the Western Conference standings and eight regular season games against teams below them in the standings to close out the season, they played good enough to win (8 of those 9) but they weren’t forced to play at an elite level or pace. Head Coach Kris Mallette astutely recognized this and attempted to mimic higher intensity situations in practice that would make his team more battle tested and ready for a first round opponent in the Seattle Thunderbirds.

But like changing the formula of Coca-Cola, it’s just not the same thing. Real game action is the only way to truly get up to speed on how well coached and how well top teams are able to execute against you.

I’d suggest it took the Rockets two games in this series to catch up to the pace, physicality and mental resolve needed to play with the big boys.

I’d suggest the Rockets can play better. The Rockets power play has resurrected from the dead and leading scorer Colton Dach is still without a point in this series. He has to break out eventually. 

The scores in this series don’t lie. A 6-0 loss in game one. A 7-3 setback in game two, which despite losing by four, was better than the night prior. It was hard to see through the disappointment of not getting a split at ShoWare Center. A game three loss at home had the Rockets score the opening goal and set the table for a terrific finish in a tied hockey game (1-1) until Mark Liwiski’s ill advised high hit that resulted in a four goal third period by the visitors and a 5-1 home ice loss.

Again, game three was a step towards the better before a game four victory in overtime without Liwiski (suspended) and Pavel Novak (undisclosed). It’s playoffs kids. Injuries are on the down low. Get with it!

What I’ve seen is the Rockets play improved hockey throughout this series. Game one was terrible. Game two was just ok, but game three was a sign the ship was turning away from rough waters. In an elimination game last night, going down 2-0 on the scoreboard wasn’t ideal, but the way they came back to tie it before Adam Kydd’s goal sent us to Seattle for game five was impressive. 

It’s suggested the Rockets got up to speed too late in this series. That may be true. Down 3-1, the Rockets must win out or the season is over.

The 2021-2022 edition of the Kelowna Rockets heard the naysayers last fall, where the word ‘can’t’ was used several times when it came to – they ‘can’t’ win 40 games or they ‘can’t’ be one of the top teams in the Western Conference or they ‘can’t’ make the playoffs.

 The word ‘can’t’ is being used against them again.

 They ‘can’t’ come back and win this series.

 If they continue this trend of getting better game-by-game, I’d suggest the 2021-2022 edition of the Kelowna Rockets indeed can!

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