'Giant' win on the road

• While a team’s success hinges greatly on the strong play of its older players, the Kelowna Rockets have so many good young ones that it’s hard for them not to make an immediate impact. Look no further than to rookie forward Colton Sissons. The just turned 17 year-old (he celebrated his birthday Friday night) scored twice in the Rockets 4-3 win Friday night over the Vancouver Giants. Sissons power play goal in the first period made it a 2-0 game while his third period goal was the game winner. The North Vancouver resident picked a special place – Pacific Coliseum – to register his first career multi goal game.

• Another North Vancouver resident wouldn’t be out done. Defenceman Kevin Smith opened up the scoring on a first period power play blast from the point and then chipped in with two assists. The three point night wasn’t a career high for the former Moose Jaw Warrior, who had four assists against the Edmonton Oil Kings last December in an 11-2 win.

• Tyson Barrie picked up one assist, but wowed the crowd of 94 hundred with his ability to control all facets of the game. He was smooth in quarterbacking the power play but was equally as good defensively.

• Mitchell Callahan scored once, giving him 9 points in three games this week. Should the WHL just hand him in the player of the week award now, or does he have to wait until next week?

• Adam Brown had another solid game in goal. His only miscue was an attempt at moving a puck up the boards to a teammate that was intercepted by Giants forward James Henry. Henry picked off the pass and fired it into an empty net to make it a one-goal game. The goal, which came shorthanded, was the result of a miscue by a teammate at the Giants blue line.

• Brett Bulmer appears to be rounding into form. That’s bad news for opposition goaltenders and great news for the Rockets. Bulmer collected two assists including a nice pass from the half wall to Sissons who was waiting at the mouth of the crease. Sissons smartly redirected it past the goaltender for an easy tap in.
  

• The Rockets are now riding a three game winning streak. It took them eight games to accomplish that feat (three wins) to start the season.

• Legendary NHL’er Gordie Howe was on hand with his two sons Marty and Mark for the ceremonial face-off. On 'Gordie Howe Night', hockey fans honoured the 82 year-old, who won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.

Rockets logo/jersey gets attention at NHL game

Here is an e-mail I received this afternoon from Kelowna resident Terry Shutiak, who was down in the States last week watching former Rockets defenceman Tyler Myers. With his permission, I share this e-mail with the readers of this blog.

I thought you might be interested to hear about the power of the Rockets in the deep south.

A trio of us flew into Atlanta last week to attend the granddaddy of nascar racing in nearby Talladega Alabama, and during our stay we had the chance to attend an Atlanta Thrasher game against Buffalo Oct 29^th at the Phillips Arena.
My buddy wore the Kelowna Rockets teal jersey and I wore the black Rockets away jersey

Obviously we were interested in seeing Tyler Myers and we met a fellow and his son who proudly wore the Tyler Myers Buffalo jersey number 57 at the game. He noticed our jerseys and we explained we were long time season ticket holders of the team where Tyler learned his skills required to play at this level. As it turns out, he grew up with Tyler's dad in Pennsylvania.

We tried to get Tyler's attention on his departure for the warm up, but he was pretty focused on his game

We were approached by some fans in the concourse who noticed our Kelowna Rocket jerseys. As it turned out they are from Vancouver and grew up in Prince George. Even the50/50 seller notices our Kelowna jersey and comments that he has a good friend who resides here – small world!

We could not believe the number of people we met who recognized the crest, and at the same time had people who were curious about the “Kelowna” and OGOPOGO on our chests – and we were happy to explain where we were from and that we were here to cheer for Tyler Myers.

Regards
Terry D. Shutiak

Rockets game notes vs. Giants

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets take a modest two game winning streak into action tonight against the Vancouver Giants. The Rockets are coming off a 5-2 win in Kamloops Wednesday and a 6-2 victory at home against the Prince George Cougars Tuesday. The Rockets are meeting the Giants for the third time this season. The Rockets are 0-2-0-0, after a 4-1 loss in Vancouver October 8^th and a 7-5 setback October 20^th at Prospera Place. Following tonight’s game, these two teams meet again January 29th. This is the Rockets fifth game in eight nights. Tomorrow night the Rockets host the Chilliwack Bruins.

Rockets recent game: The Rockets power play struck for three-third period goals in a come-from-behind 5-2 win in Kamloops Wednesday night. Mitchell Callahan scored once and added three assists in the win. Shane McColgan had a goal and two assists in the Rockets 6^th win of the season. Brett Bulmer, Colton Heffley and Damon Severson also scored. It was Heffley and Severson’s first career WHL goals. Adam Brown was named the games #1 star with a 37 save performance. The Rockets power play went 3 for 5 while the penalty kill was 5 for 5.

Who’s Hot: Shane McColgan has points in nine of his last ten games, with 5+12=17 over that period….Rookie Zach Franko has points in eight of his last eleven games. Franko has 3+8=11 over that stretch…Mitchell Callahan has six goals in his last seven games and eight points in his last two games…Tyson Barrie has six points in his last three games (1+5=6)…

Who’s Not: Evan Bloodoff has one goal in his last fourteen.

This and That: Mitchell Callahan’s four point efforts in back-to-back games is the first time a Rockets player has accomplished the feat since Jamie Benn had back-to-back four point outings in January of 2008. Benn had 6 points against Everett before picking up four points in the next game against the Portland Winterhawks…The Rockets have 5 power play goals in their last nine opportunities (55%)….The Rockets have opened up the scoring in their last three home games…The Rockets are top four in one WHL category. The Rockets have been granted the 4^th most power play chances in the league (98). Red Deer (105), Kamloops (102) and Brandon have had more chances with the extra man….Despite the struggles on the power play, the Rockets have failed to score a power play goal in just five of their first 16 games….The Rockets have scored 46 goals after sixteen games this season. Last season after sixteen games the club had 63 goals….The Rockets have allowed 60 goals against this season. Last season after sixteen games the team had allowed 56 goals against….Last season the Rockets were 8-7-1-0 after sixteen games….The Rockets have been involved in seven-one goal games this season. The Rockets are 4-3-0-0 in those seven-one goal games…Adam Brown has started six straight games in goal for the Rockets….The Rockets have allowed eight power play goals (8 goals on 34 kills) in their last seven games…The Rockets shootout win in Everett October 10^th was the franchises 6^th shootout victory on the road. The Rockets are 6 and 10 in shootouts on the road dating back to 2005-06, when shootouts were introduced as a way to settle games at the WHL level…..The Rockets were involved in 11 shootout games last season. The Rockets were 7 and 4 in those games…The Rockets have failed to open the scoring in thirteen of their first sixteen games this season….The Rockets franchise is playing its 1385^th regular season game tonight. The team has 703 regular season wins….Rockets captain Tyson Barrie has been named to the roster for Team WHL, which will play the Russian Selects next month in the Subway Super Series. Barrie and Team WHL will face the Russians in games in Prince George and Kamloops. Ryan Huska is the head coach for Team WHL…The Rockets have been held to two or fewer goals in seven of their 16 games this season…The Rockets now have the 18^th best power play in the league. The Rockets have scored 15 power play goals in 98 chances for a success rate of 15.3 %....Three of the Rockets six wins this season have come on the road.

Rockets look to WHL player as sports psychologist

Peter Soberlak played 227 games in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and Swift Current Broncos in the mid to late 80's. He won a Memorial Cup with the Broncos in 1989. Soberlak was a first round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 1987 NHL draft. What is the Kamloops resident up to these days? Soberlak is now the Kelowna Rockets sports psychologist. I spoke to Soberlak, who I watched as a junior, last night prior to the Rockets win over the Kamloops Blazers.

Audio of 16 year-old's scoring first WHL goal

Brown named 1st star in road win

• When Adam Brown is on his game, the Kelowna Rockets are a good bet to win. Brown was the best player on the ice Wednesday night in the Rockets' 5-2 win in Kamloops. Brown made several sensational saves in the teams 6th win of the season. Brown was named the games #1 star. His best save of the game? A breakaway stop off of Blazers forward Brendan Ranford in the third period was just proof on this night that beating the 19 year-old goaltender wouldn't be easy.
• While Brown was holding court at one end of the ice, his California counterpart Mitchell Callahan was putting up some impressive numbers at the other end. Callahan had another four point night with a goal and three assists. Callahan becomes the first Rockets forward since Jamie Benn in 2008 to register back-to-back four point games. One more solid offensive outing by Callahan and the selection committee will have no other choice but to name him the WHL Player of the Week.
  
• Is it Mitch Callahan or Mitchell Callahan? The Blazers lineup sheet had it as Mitch Callahan. Interesting.
  
• Sweet 16! Rookie sixteen year-old forward Colton Heffley scored his first WHL goal Wednesday night, and not to be outdone, fellow 16 year-old defenceman Damon Severson did the exact same thing with his first career goal early in the third period.
• Brett Bulmer may have only scored into an empty net, but it was his best game of the season. The 18 year-old forward was more involved in the play and was a threat when the puck was on his stick. Lets hope Wednesday's game was a sign of things to come.
• The power play again created some good things. In fact, the power play generated three of the four goals the Rockets scored in the third period. Those goals with the extra man put the game out of reach.
• In the last two games the Rockets power play has been 5 for 9. That's a success rate of 55.5 percent over the last two nights.
• While the power play appears to be back on track, don't overlook the penalty killing unit. Suspect calls provided the Blazers with five chances to possibly bury the Rockets when the home team had a 2-1 lead, but the Rockets came away unscathed. The ugliest call of the night came when forward Cody Chikie was penalized for goaltender interference. A close second was a penalty shot awarded to Rockets forward Evan Bloodoff in the third.
  
• A former teammate of Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert took in Wednesday's game. Peter Soberlak, who won a Memorial Cup title with Lambert as a member of the Swift Current Broncos in 1989, is now a sports psychologist. In fact, Soberlak is now the Rockets sports psychologist, taking over from Dr. Murray Smith. I will post the interview I had with Soberlak later today.
  

Brown and company come to play

Adam Brown is named the games first star in a 5-2 win over the Kamloops Blazers. The win improves the Rockets record to 6 and 10 on the season.
More later.

Game notes vs. Blazers

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets will try to snap a two game road losing streak when they visit the Kamloops Blazers tonight. The Rockets have lost back-to-back road games after a 4-2 loss in Portland last Friday and a 6-1 setback one night later to the Hawks. This is the second meeting of the season against the Blazers. These two teams met October 13^th, with the Blazers earning a 5-4 win. Following tonight’s tilt, the two teams tangle again in Kamloops November 13^th. The Rockets made four visits to the Interior Savings Centre last season going 1-3-0-0. The Rockets lone win was a 5-3 victory February 12^th. The Rockets were out-scored 18-13 in those four visits to Kamloops. Tonight’s game against the Blazers is the Rockets fourth game in six nights. The Rockets are in Vancouver Friday before hosting the Chilliwack Bruins Saturday night.

Rockets recent game: The Rockets snapped a three game losing streak with a 6-2 win last night over the visiting Prince George Cougars. Mitchell Callahan had two goals and two assists while Tyson Barrie had a goal and two helpers. Zach Franko, Colton Jobke and Geordie Wudrick also scored, in the clubs 5^th win of the season. The Rockets were 2 for 4 with the man advantage. Adam Brown earned the win in goal.

Who’s Hot: Shane McColgan has points in eight of his last nine games, with 4+10=14 over that period….Rookie Zach Franko has points in eight of his last ten games. Franko has 3+8=11 over that stretch…Mitchell Callahan has five goals in his last six games.

Who’s Not: Evan Bloodoff has one goal in his last thirteen. Brett Bulmer has one point (an assist) in his last seven games.

This and That: Mitchell Callahan’s four points last night against Prince George wasn’t the first four point performance by the 19 year-old forward. Callahan also had four points December 2/09 in a 6-2 win over the Everett Silvertips….The Rockets have opened up the scoring in their last three home games…The Rockets are top four in one WHL category. The Rockets have been granted the 4^th most power play chances in the league (93). Red Deer (105), Brandon (101) and Kamloops (97) have had more chances with the extra man….Despite the struggles on the power play, the Rockets have failed to score a power play goal in just five of their first 15 games….Defenceman Mitchell Chapman returned to the lineup last night after serving six games for a suspension after a kneeing major and game misconduct against the Chilliwack Bruins.…The Rockets have scored 41 goals after fifteen games this season. Last season after fifteen games the club had 59 goals….The Rockets have allowed 58 goals against this season. Last season after fifteen games the team had allowed 52 goals against….Last season the Rockets were 8-6-1-0 after fifteen games….The Rockets have been involved in seven-one goal games this season. The Rockets are 4-3-0-0 in those seven-one goal games…Adam Brown has started five straight games in goal for the Rockets….Shane McColgan leads the team in scoring with 4+10=14….The Rockets have allowed eight power play goals (8 goals on 29 kills) in their last six games…The Rockets shootout win in Everett October 10^th was the franchises 6^th shootout victory on the road. The Rockets are 6 and 10 in shootouts on the road dating back to 2005-06, when shootouts were introduced as a way to settle games at the WHL level…..The Rockets were involved in 11 shootout games last season. The Rockets were 7 and 4 in those games…The Rockets have failed to open the scoring in twelve of their first fifteen games this season….The Rockets franchise is playing its 1384^th regular season game tonight. The team has 702 regular season wins….Rockets captain Tyson Barrie has been named to the roster for Team WHL, which will play the Russian Selects next month in the Subway Super Series. Barrie and Team WHL will face the Russians in games in Prince George and Kamloops. Ryan Huska is the head coach for Team WHL…The Rockets have been held to two or fewer goals in seven of their 15 games this season…The Rockets scored five or more goals six times on home ice last season…Zach Franko’s goal last night was his first in eight games…the last time the Rockets played a game on this date was November 3/07 in a 4-3 win in Chilliwack. Kyle St. Denis had two goals while Luke Schenn collected two assists…Colton Jobke’s goal last night was his first in 83 career regular season games.

I guess Dick Gibson isn't so bad?

This past weekend, this audio clip was making the rounds on American sports radio. If you missed it, check out the colour guy's 'out of control' emotion of a non call on the football field.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/10/florida_atlantic_announcer_los.html

Nice

• You could see the relief on the face of Kelowna Rockets defenceman Colton Jobke. Not only did he score his first career goal in 83 WHL games, but his team was rewarded for its hard work in a 6-2 home ice win over the visiting Prince George Cougars. The Rockets were anything but dominant, but all things added up in the teams 5th win of the season.

• Solid goaltending by Adam Brown early in the game was key. Brown was sharp as the Cougars came out hard in the first period. Brown's heroics provided his team a chance to find their feet before Geordie Wudrick opened up the scoring.
  

• It was nice to see Wudrick score. Not only was it his second goal of the season, but it was a big goal at a crucial time. Nothing hurts more than seeing the opposition score after deserving a better fate at the other end of the ice. Wudrick is now just three goals shy of 100 for his career and is closing in on another milestone. Eight more games played and Wudrick has the bragging rights of being in the 300 club.
• The power play struck for two goals on just four chances. What was most impressive about the power play was the Rockets ability to score quickly. Both goals were scored less than 10 seconds into Prince George penalties. If that doesn't give you confidence, I am not sure what will?
• Mitchell Callahan continues to hold the hot hand offensively. A four point night (2+2=4) for the Rockets best player through 15 games. I love nothing more than a player being rewarded for his hard work.
• Despite the strong urging of the Rockets bench not to get involved, European forward Andreas Stene found himself in a third period fight with Cougars forward Charles Inglis. It was all Inglis as he used his left fist as a jack hammer. But give the 19 year-old Stene credit for even standing in there as Inglis took advantage of an opponent with no fighting prowess.
• Seventeen year-old Rockets forward Jessey Astles made short work of Cougars 16 year-old Joshua Smith. Smith fired three punches at his opponent before Astles one punched him to the ice. What I liked most about Astles fight was the fact that he skated away once Smith dropped to his knees. Nothing looks more dominant than a player skating away quickly after disposing of his opponent.
• Sixteen year-old Colton Heffley was back in a Kelowna Rockets uniform Tuesday. Heffley returned to the team after playing midget hockey in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Heffley played 5 games previously as a 15 year-old last season.
  

Rockets game notes vs. Cougars

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets will try to snap a three game losing streak when they host the Prince George Cougars. This is the second of eight meetings between the two teams this season. On opening night, September 25^th, the Cougars were a 6-2 winner. Spencer Asuchak scored twice for the Cougars in the win while Zach Franko and Brett Bulmer scored goals for the Rockets. Following tonight’s game, these two teams meet again November 12th in Kelowna before colliding in Prince George November 19^th and 20^th. During the three game losing streak the Rockets have been out-scored 13-4. The clubs last win was a 4-3 home ice victory over the Everett Silvertips October 22^nd. The Rockets will play four games over the next five nights. Following this game the Rockets are in Kamloops tomorrow night before traveling to Vancouver on Friday before hosting the Chilliwack Bruins Saturday. Overall, the Rockets have lost five of their last six games, having been out-scored 28-14.

Rockets recent game: Shane McColgan scored the lone goal in a 6-1 loss in Portland Saturday night. The Rockets were 1 for 7 on the power play while the Hawks scored three of their six goals on the power play. Adam Brown took the loss in goal.

Who’s Hot: Shane McColgan has points in seven of his last eight games, with 4+9=13 over that period….Rookie Zach Franko has points in seven of his last nine games. Franko has 2+8=10 over that period…Mitchell Callahan has 5+7=12 in his last nine games.

Who’s Not: Evan Bloodoff has one goal in his last twelve. Geordie Wudick has one goal in his first thirteen games. Brett Bulmer has one point (an assist) in his last seven games.

This and That: The Rockets have opened up the scoring in their last two home games…The Rockets are just 1 for 23 (4.3%) in their last three games on the power play…While the Rockets own the second worst power play in the league, they are still ahead of three other teams when it comes to goals scored with the man advantage. The Rockets have scored ten power play goals this season, more than Everett, Edmonton and Lethbridge…The Rockets are top five in one WHL category. The Rockets have been granted the fifth most power play chances in the league (89). Only Brandon (101), Red Deer (99), Kamloops (97) and Vancouver (91) have had more chances with the extra man….Despite the struggles on the power play, the Rockets have failed to score a power play goal in just five of their first 14 games….Defenceman Mitchell Chapman returns to the lineup tonight after serving six games for a suspension after a kneeing major and game misconduct against the Chilliwack Bruins.…The Rockets have scored 35 goals after fourteen games this season. Last season after fourteen games the club had 55 goals….The Rockets have allowed 56 goals against this season. Last season after fourteen games the team had allowed 51 goals against….Last season the Rockets were 7-6-1-0 after fourteen games….The Rockets have been involved in seven-one goal games this season. The Rockets are 4-3-0-0 in those seven-one goal games…Adam Brown has started four straight games in goal for the Rockets….Shane McColgan leads the team in scoring with 4+9=13….The Rockets have allowed eight power play goals (8 goals on 26 kills) in their last five games…The Rockets shootout win in Everett October 10^th was the franchises 6^th shootout victory on the road. The Rockets are 6 and 10 in shootouts on the road dating back to 2005-06, when shootouts were introduced as a way to settle games at the WHL level…..The Rockets were involved in 11 shootout games last season. The Rockets were 7 and 4 in those games…The Rockets have failed to open the scoring in twelve of their first fourteen games this season….The Rockets franchise is playing its 1383^rd regular season game tonight. The team has 701 regular season wins….Rockets captain Tyson Barrie has been named to the roster for Team WHL, which will play the Russian Selects next month in the Subway Super Series. Barrie and Team WHL will face the Russians in games in Prince George and Kamloops. Ryan Huska is the head coach for Team WHL…The Rockets have lost four of their last five games at home. The only win over that period was a 4-3 shootout win over the Everett Silvertips Oct 22^nd…..The Rockets have been held to two or fewer goals in seven of their 14 games this season.

Things that make me go hmm....

• It is usually the kiss of death at the pro level, but a vote of confidence given by Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton towards head coach Ryan Huska was good to hear. The coach is not the problem with what currently ails the hockey club and Hamilton is wise enough to know that. Hamilton is a man of his word. Player changes will happen if things don't improve, but one of the bright minds in junior hockey isn't going anywhere.
  
• I didn't have a chance to mention the conversation I had with Brandon Wheat King GM Kelly McCrimmon last week. I spent a couple of minutes casually talking to a coach I admire and respect from afar. McCrimmon is really the only Eastern Conference coach I have any type of relationship with. It may have to do with how long we have both been in the league and the changes in coaching staff elsewhere out east.
• Speaking of WHL executives, I am really getting to like Everett Silvertips GM Doug Soetaert. Soetaert isn't guarded around me in casual conversation. At least that's my perception. I will warn Soetaert of one thing though. This doesn't apply to all media personnel in the WHL. I won't mention names.
  
• The Portland Winterhawks Booster Club member I met on the weekend was likely Stuart Kemp. Kemp is the president of the club, which has its own website, www.pwhbc.com. I wasn't the happiest camper after a 6-1 loss to the Hawks Saturday night, but Kemp put a smile on my face, and I appreciate him sticking around after the game to make contact with me.
  
• A nice touch by Andy Kemper on Friday night's Hawks broadcast. He encouraged listeners from outside Portland to listen to our broadcast on-line during Saturday's rematch. Because of scheduling conflicts with football, the Hawks radio broadcast was unavailable for listeners in the area. One Hawks fan came up to me before Saturday's game and told me Kemper made the suggestion, saying "I hear you are a real story teller". I chuckled at that saying, "when you are 4 and 9, on some night's you have to revert to story telling to ease the pain on the scoreboard.
  
• The hardest part about being a broadcaster when a team is struggling is being too negative. It's especially tough when the players you've witnessed in the past putting out a tremendous effort appear to now be playing uninspired hockey. I can't be critical of a player who has an off night, because that's going to happen. But extended periods of perimeter play and failing to get involved in puck battles has me biting my tongue.
  
• The biggest disappointment outside of the Rockets performance on the weekend was the crowds in Portland. It's a shame that about 25 hundred fans are coming out to see the Hawks play. They are fun to watch. They are skilled, play high tempo and are tough. I am told the attendance numbers will improve as the winter rolls along. This team deserves to play in front of more than the small numbers they are getting.
• It would be interesting to see what the attendance numbers would be like if all of the Hawks games were played at the Rose Garden. You would have to think they would be significantly better, even against a non-division rival.
• Who's better, Ty Rattie or Red Deer's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? Hawk fans can compare when the Rebels visit the Hawks Friday night.
  
• The Hawks cheerleaders rock! They are solid in their on-ice dance routine and do a great job mingling with fans.
• The Hawks were giving away posters in the lobby of the seven players taken in this summers NHL draft. As a kid, that poster would have been gobbled up so quickly, it would have hit my bedroom wall the instant I walked through the door.
  
• The return of Nino Niederreiter means one thing. The Hawks are going for it. Why wouldn't you? Clearly when the stars align like this, you have to shoot for the moon. If that means giving up some of your future for the possibility to acquiring another forward or defenceman, you have to do it. Having this many highly skilled players doesn't come around often. Look at the Rockets team from 2009. Ian Duval and Ryley Grantham were brought in to provide more depth to a team already highly skilled with Jamie Benn, Colin Long, Cody Almond and Mikael Backlund and Tyler Myers. If that means trading a player like your top 16 year-old to put you over the top, so be it. That player or a 1st round bantam pick can fetch you a pretty good player that many teams simply wouldn't normally consider trading.
• What is the worst part of calling at game at Memorial Coliseum in Portland? Sitting. The broadcast booth is located in such an area where fans are located directly behind you. Moose Jaw and Swift Current also have you sitting down for the entire game. If Hawks home games are played at the Rose Garden, the visiting broadcaster can stand and be as animated as he wants.