Notes, quotes and anecdotes

One of many visiting dressing rooms on trip

• Wow. What do you say? Hey, hey I like that play won't cut it. The Kelowna Rockets are an incredible 5 and 0 on this road trip with one more to go. To think this team has the ability to fight back and win games when the odds are against them. It is truly incredible. Games on the road are never easy to win. Games that include travel make it even that more challenging. The biggest obstacle is everyone is playing determined to knock off the best team - statistically - in the WHL. The Rockets are getting the oppositions best and are still winning.     
• What makes the 5 and 0 record even more impressive is both Jordon Cooke and Jackson Whistle have not had to be exceptional in any of the five games. Plus, the Rockets are playing a good portion of the trip without their top defenceman - Damon Severson. With an injury to Jesse Lees in Moose Jaw, rookies Joe Gatenby and Dalton Yorke have been inserted on the blue line and Mitch Wheaton is finding time on the power play. 
• Here is forward Carter Rigby's take on his team. "We know that when we are up or down, we can come back. We are having fun. We don't have any cockiness about us but we are playing with fire and want to end this road trip off right". 
• Rigby on other teams trying to knock them off their pedestal. "That makes us better when teams are gunning for us and saying that a win over us will turn their seasons around. It makes us better as a team and makes us want to come out hard and not let that happen".               
• If I was a smoker in Saskatchewan, I'd quit. Is it really worth hovering outside in the cold to have a 'dart'? Someone please explain to me why the number of smokers per-capita in Saskatchewan isn't down significantly to those in BC?   
• I had my best interview ever with veteran Myles Bell before Saturday's game in Regina. I thought Bell would be uptight as he made his first return to Regina since being traded away two years ago. Bell was so well spoken. Usually short on words with a quirky sense of humour, Bell spoke about playing with the Pats as a 16 year old. "I remember driving with my dad in his truck to Regina and I said to him, "Dad I think I can be a point a game guy". His dad said, "How do you figure"? Bell retorted, "I will just give Jordan Eberle the puck". Eberle now stars with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. 
• Bell has 6 goals on this road trip, two of them in overtime. I asked Bell what it feels like to score game winners like that with his teammates jumping all over him. "It is nice. It is also nice to have the game over with. A lot of our guys were tired. It is nice to score but without the other 19 guys on the bench that chance doesn't happen". 
• This cold, prairie winter has rejuvenated Bell. Finding the back of the net was as hard as finding a cab in Swift Current at one in the morning, but his fortunes have turned around out here. I would say six goals in five games is a sign of things turning around for the 20 year-old.       
• How does it work? The more I tweet the less Twitter followers I have. The less activity, the more people that follow me. Weird? I guess the saying, 'Speak only when spoken to' does apply. If you don't follow me, you can at twitter.com/reganrant. I am fairly active, so be warned.
• So many good interviews on this trip. A real gem before the game in Prince Albert when I caught up to former Rockets d-man MacKenzie Johnston. "I have been keeping tabs on them (Rockets) ever since I left and slowly watching them climb and keeping tabs on everybody. It is no surprise to me they are in first place. I know the goalies, I know the d-men and the forwards. They have a good group of guys there," Johnston added. 
• When you have won as many games in a row as the Rockets have (11 straight - 12 on the road - 19 of last 20) what does Rockets head coach Ryan Huska have to be weary of? "I think their is always a danger when playing games. You don't want your team to be overconfident. Our team understands we haven't been very good some nights and our goaltenders have been terrific or we have seen some bounces go our way. I believe we want to end this road trip on a high".  
• It is amazing what happens when a player is a healthy scratch. Riley Stadel didn't play Wednesday in Moose Jaw and has been a horse since. Stadel was the games second star last night in Prince Albert with a goal and an assist.            
• A good shower head is one of life's small pleasures. It is so underrated. In this day of water conservation, hotel's typical have a shower head that sprinkles you with water. In Saskatoon, it is a full on assault. When the water comes out of the shower head, be prepared for a serious hose down.     
• Unfortunately on this road trip we haven't been able to see the Rockets first round pick from this summers draft play in a game or two. Dillon Dube watched the game Saturday in Regina but was unable to play because his midget team is busy playing games and they are short staffed with several injuries. Can you imagine Nick Merkley and Dillon Dube moving the puck around on the power play next season? Yikes!  
• It is a day off in Saskatoon. I vow to have no pasta dishes today. No chicken is on my menu. I am going to eat away from the team and find a good - greasy hamburger. In case you are unsure why I have this distaste for pasta and chicken, we have the exact same thing during pre-game meal. It is a hockey staple. 
• I will let you in on a secret when this trip is over. Stay tuned. 

A record tying night for the Rockets

• No matter how the 2013-2014 regular season unfolds for the Kelowna Rocket, they will find their name in the WHL record books. A 5-3 win in Prince Albert Sunday night was the teams 12^th straight on the road, which is second all time in league history along with the 1981 Portland Winterhawks, the 2008 Saskatoon Blades and the 2004 Kelowna Rockets. The WHL record is 18 straight road wins set by the Calgary Hitmen in 2000. In Sunday's road game, the Rockets dug themselves out of a two goal deficit, survived two penalty shots awarded to the Raiders, and then scored three times in the third period for their 26^th victory of the season.  The two goal win not only extended the Rockets overall streak to 11 games, it improved its Eastern Conference record to 5-0-0-0 on a six game tour through the division.       
  
• While the 12 game road winning streak is not a league record, it is a franchise tying record. The Rockets also won 12 straight road games during the 2003-2004 season.   
• As mentioned, the Rockets have won 11 straight overall. Before you get to excited, the WHL record for the longest winning streak is 24 games set by the Victoria Cougars in 1981.   
• This was an impressive effort. Playing their 5^th game in six nights, the Raiders had to be licking their chops on a road weary opponent. Oddly, the Rockets appeared to get better as the game wore on, not tiring like many would expect after traveling 2482 kilometers since the trip started Sunday morning when the bus left Kelowna headed for Saskatchewan. Not only did the team come back after trailing 3-2 after 40 minutes, they manufactured three goals in the final period to move six points up on Portland for first place in the overall WHL standings. 
• Rockets forward Ryan Olsen is lucky to have not suffered a significant injury after he was hit from behind into the corner boards in the first period. What is laughable is both referee’s didn’t call a penalty. It was a dangerous hit and you have to call it. You could hear the thud in the building. Isn't the safety of the player paramount? If the league wants to get rid of those type of hits, which they continually preach that they do, why is no call made? To add insult, a terrible penalty shot call against the Rockets came just a few minutes later. 
• Speaking of penalty shots, it is the second time this season Jordon Cooke has faced two penalty shots in one game. In October, against Victoria, the Royals were awarded two free passes to the goaltender. Cooke is now five for five in penalty shots this season. 
• The Rockets have scored 26 goals in the first five games of the road trip. Of those 26 goals, 13 different scorers have found the back of the net. That is a diversified attack. Myles Bell has six goals on the trip while Ryan Olsen has four. Zach Franko has three while Nick Merkley, Tyrell Goulbourne and Tyson Baillie have two each.
• Look for Merkley's third period goal, to make the score 3-3, on the next edition of the WHL Plays of the Week. The 16 year-old picked up a puck in his skates just outside the Raiders blue-line, kicked it to his stick and skated in, made a move to his right and waited for Raiders goaltender Cole Cheveldave to open his legs before niftily tucking it five hole on the 20 year-old.        
• It was nice to run into Kelly Guard during the second intermission. Guard, the Raiders goaltending coach, helped the Rockets to a WHL title in 2003 and a Memorial Cup championship in 2004.
• Ex-Blades coach (now solely Blades GM) Lorne Molleken and ex-Raiders head coach Steve Young were seen sitting together at the game. Molleken relinquished his duties after the 2013 Memorial Cup while Young's contract wasn't renewed by the Raiders at the end of April.   
• The game marked the first time MacKenzie Johnston played against his old team. Now a Prince Albert Raider, it looked odd to see Johnston wearing different colours then the familiar white, red and teal. I had a real good interview with Johnston before the game where he had a chance to publicly thank the fans of Kelowna and his billets for treating him great over his four seasons in the Okanagan. 
• The Rockets will take a well deserved break from the rink Monday. A planned tour of the PA Penitentiary is planned and then its time for some R and R. 

Bell ignores the boo's and blasts home the OT winner

• The number 10 in the urban dictionary is defined as perfection. The Kelowna Rockets are anything but perfect but are riding a ten game winning streak after a 5-4 overtime win Saturday night in Regina. Myles Bell played the role of hero for a second straight night when his wrist shot found the back of the net for the team’s 26^th win of the season. Of the ten wins during the streak, four have come courtesy of an Eastern Conference road trip that has the WHL point leaders playing six games in eight nights. Few teams find success over a grueling schedule, but the Rockets are earning valuable points in the standings and are serving notice that they are tough to beat when rolling all four lines.
• The Pats were the team with more jump in the first period. Two goals in a span of 19 seconds had the Rockets in a huge hole early in the game. Coach Huska had no choice but to call a time out and set his team straight. Mitch Wheaton would eventually score a power play goal and the damage at periods end saw the visitors down by just one after a less than energetic opening 20 minutes.
• The second period is when the Rockets found their legs. Out-scoring the Pats 3-2 in the period, the persistent fore-check the Pats applied diminished. Instead the Rockets played a good portion of the period in the offensive zone, generating 22 shots while only giving up six. The Pats had the lead three times and the pesky Rockets, like a mosquito on a hot prairie day, wouldn’t relent. Every time the Pats struck for a goal to take the lead, the Rockets had an answer.  
• I feel especially happy for Myles Bell. Making his first appearance in Regina since a trade to Kelowna in 2011, Bell was heading into hostile territory Saturday night and delivered on the ice with a goal and an assist. The boo’s were clearly audible in the first period whenever he touched the puck, yet the now 20 year-old found the mental resolve by scoring the winner and collecting a helper on Mitch Wheaton’s first goal of the season. Bell is back to being the old Myles Bell that led the team with 38 goals last season. Deadly with the puck on his stick, the Calgary resident is a lethal weapon that is becoming the difference maker everyone projected he would be in his final season in the WHL.
• Tyson Baillie ended the night with a goal and three assists. The four point night matched his two goal and two assist effort in the second game of the season against the Kamloops Blazers. Baillie now has a team leading 22 assists and a team leading 35 points, four more than Ryan Olsen.    
• It was nice to run into ex-Rockets Craig Cuthbert and Cody Fowlie after the game. The two are playing with the University of Regina men’s hockey team. ‘Little Cutter’ is taking Business Administration and is in his final semester. I love the alumni that I witnessed as immature 16 year-old junior players now grown up into maturing men.
• Getting to the rink early afforded me the chance to catch up with Saskatchewan Roughriders radio voice Rod Pedersen. We shared some good stories and a few laughs. ’Roddy’ is a beauty, who still calls the occasional Pats game for local TV.

 Random Thoughts: 

• He won’t get much media attention, nor would he expect to, but our bus driver Mel Billings deserves a lot of credit for getting us door-to-door during this road trip. Billings deserves a pat on the back for what he does. Mel is the man driving the bus in the wee hours of the morning as we, his passengers, put our trust in him to get us from point A to point B. It is a big responsibility with little fan fare.    
• I was asked the other day by a buddy of mine from Regina if I still liked what I do. I guess it takes a special/odd personality to be driving around the prairies two weeks before Christmas with a bunch of junior hockey players. When I no longer care about the players and the coaches and if they succeed or fail, that will be my cue to call it quits.When the day comes where a win doesn’t excite me or a loss makes me agitated, then I will know I’ve had enough.
• For those wondering, the price of gas in Regina is 118.9 cents a litre at most Regina gas stations. It is a sure sign that we don’t get hosed in the winter in the Okanagan like we do in the summer when we get pillaged by excessively high gas prices.   
• I receive a real nice e-mail from Charles Martin this week, a Rockets season ticket holder and a regular reader of this blog. Martin had some encouraging words for me as we make our way across the cold prairies. His letter included the fact he is enjoying the sun in Maui right now as we experience temperatures in the low -20’s. Am I envious? Darn rights.   

Self doubt is not what they are all about

• You can choose self doubt or have the belief to win. After what I witnessed Friday night in Brandon, the Kelowna Rockets believe in the latter. Down 5-3 with 2:20 remaining on the clock, Ryan Olsen and Myles Bell scored back-to-back goals 29 seconds apart before Bell would play the role of hero with the game winner on a breakaway in overtime. The win came out of nowhere considering the Wheat Kings looked like the team that was going to hand the Rockets only their fourth loss of the season. Everybody inside the building, outside of those on the Rockets bench, believed this game was over when the Wheat Kings scored a power play goal with rookie Nick Merkley in penalty box. It was the greatest comeback by the Rockets in recent memory and extended their winning streak to nine games.
• I was shocked at the outcome, I really was and rightfully admitted it on the air. The Rockets missed a glorious opportunity to score when Riley Stadel made a picture perfect pass to Zach Franko at the side of the Wheat Kings when the visitors trailed by two goals late in the game. Instead of scoring, Franko chipped the puck high and wide of the net. That miss, I thought was the game. I sure am glad I was wrong.  
• I hate to be negative after such as emotional win, but honestly I didn’t think the Rockets were that good. Not until they played with desperation late in the game, the Wheat Kings were out hustling and out chancing the Rockets. It wasn’t all negative though. The team fought back three times after trailing and showed good resilience after giving up the opening goal 29 seconds into the game and then giving up the Wheat Kings fourth goal 20 seconds into the third period.  
• The power play generated two goals on three chances. That was a nice switch from a 0 for 6 night in Moose Jaw on Wednesday.
• Tyson Baillie collected three assists and Zach Franko had a goal and two assists. Five of those six points were collected in the final crucial minutes of the third period and in overtime. Myles Bell was money on the breakaway when he made no mistake to lock down the Rockets 25th win of the season.  
• Riley Stadel had a nice bounce back game after being a healthy scratch in Moose Jaw Wednesday night. Stadel made better decisions with the puck and played a more cautious game. Maybe the word cautious doesn’t fit. The 18 year-old used better puck management if you want me to use coaches talk to describe how much more improved he was when the puck was on his stick.
• Zach Franko and Madison Bowey made the return to their home province of Manitoba. Franko ended up scoring once and adding two assists and now has 2+3=5 in three games on this road trip. Bowey picked up just his second point – an assist – in his last seven games. Franko’s mom and dad were in attendance from Winnipeg along with Bowey’s mother and brother Connor, a Rockets draft pick.
• The win moved the Rockets 4 points up on Portland for first place in the WHL overall standings with still three games in hand. The Winterhawks suffered only their 7^th loss in a setback in Seattle. 
• Up next is a date with the Regina Pats tonight at the Brandt Centre. The Pats were in Saskatoon last night where they pulled through with a win. It also marks the first game for Myles  Bell in Regina since he was trade two seasons ago.

Notes, quotes and anecdotes

WHL website doesn't lie

• It is really hard to believe the Kelowna Rockets sit in sole possession of first place in the overall standings on December 12th. To think this team has racked up 24 wins in 29 games is mind boggling. It hasn't been easy to get there and the wins have come in a variety of different ways. I would think its safe to say this team isn't being taken lightly by the opposition at any time this season. Every night the Rockets face the best that the opposition has to offer. No night is a night off for a team that everyone else wants to knock off.
• How tight are the Kelowna Rockets players? I think a good indication of that was when Cody Fowlie showed up at the team meal this afternoon. Fowlie, who plays with the Regina Cougars men's hockey team, wasn't about to miss out on saying hi to many of his ex-teammates at the Regina hotel.  
• I asked Everett Silvertips head coach Kevin Constantine last week what he thought of the Rockets. "I think they are the best team...and I like Portland a lot. I better be careful what I say here. Portland has an extraordinary amount of talent. I don't know if Kelowna has exactly the same level of talent or not but I just like Kelowna's team game. I always have. When I coached in Everett 10 years ago, Kelowna was the model. People borrowed styles and systems and whenever you are a team that other people are borrowing your strategies from, you are the best. I've always admired the Rockets for their style of play and their ability to get good players. They have the best winning percentage, what can you say? If they have the best winning percentage they are the best team", Constantine added.
• I had to chuckle when I asked rookie forward Justin Kirkland about the fight he had with Warriors 20 year-old Jesse Forsberg Wednesday night.  Kirkland, with a big smile on his face said, "I took a couple and I tried to throw a few back. When I hit my hand on his helmet, it hurt, so I decided to hang on".  I am sure Forsberg was asked by Tyrell Goulbourne to fight but wisely said no. Interesting that Forsberg elected to scrap with a shrinking violet instead.                     
• The players on the bus are well prepared for the elements. The majority of them are wearing toque's  when they leave the warm confines of the 'iron lung'. Ryan Olsen is sporting a very fashionable Seattle SeaHawks toque while Jackson Whistle is all about supporting the Montreal Canadiens. Tyson Baillie surprised me with his Toronto Raptors toque. As Baillie told me, "Hey, I am into all kinds of sports".  I guess that includes Canada's only NBA franchise.     
• One thing I've noticed during our trip through Saskatchewan is the tendency for motorists to idle their cars/trucks while going inside a restaurant to eat. I guess it only makes sense, considering the amount of time that is needed to warm your vehicle up from a cold start. 
• Is Zach Franko a team player? If you have a chance, watch Franko unselfishly pass the puck to Ryan Olsen for an empty net goal in Moose Jaw Wednesday night. Franko could have scored, but was happy to pass it off for Olsen's seventh goal in seven games.
• Doing whatever it takes for the betterment of the team. Colton Heffley has been involved in two scraps during this road trip. Heffley can hold his own, but isn't usually the aggressor. Does he expect some coal in his stocking at Christmas and thus is in a nasty mood? My guess is he wants to do whatever he can to contribute to the success of the team and if taking off his gloves is part of the equation, so be it.         
• The travel out here in the Eastern Conference is so much easier than in the Western Conference. Oh sure, Swift Current to Edmonton is a haul, but Saskatchewan based teams meeting in head-to-head play is a walk in the park. Swift Current is ideally located. Medicine Hat is two hours away, Saskatoon is three hours away, Moose Jaw is two hours and Regina is a two and a half hour drive. The cash that those teams save on hotels and fuel compared to their Western Conference counterparts must be in the 10's of thousands.       
• The spirit within the group is good. It is amazing what winning will do. If you believe in positive energy, you will find it on this team. The players are full of energy, are having fun on this trip and have nothing but good things to say about every arena we visit. When we practiced Thursday morning at the Brandt Centre in Regina, not one negative comment was uttered from the players. They love the older buildings that hold so much character. I am glad they appreciate it as much as I do.  
• I wanted to put a shout-out to Swift Current Broncos athletic therapist Jamie LeBlanc. 'Butter', as he is known to most of us, treated the Rockets like gold during our brief stay at the I-Plex. LeBlanc was always on hand offering assistance and carrying along with him a smile. Addressing the needs of the visiting team isn't often easy, but 'Butter' made it look as smooth as......butter on toast. Corny I know, but let's move on. You have a valuable staff member there in Swift Current, but the Broncos probably already know that. I hope now you know that too.       
• On Friday's broadcast we are going to spend the 2nd intermission reflecting on Christmas thoughts from both the players and the coaches. Defenceman Jesse Lees gave me the best quote about what Christmas means to him. "You often look at other people and see their situation. We did a hamper this year for a family which was good and I've done that pretty much my whole life. It is good to help out others and at the same time it is good to reflect and be there with your family and have a good Christmas together."       
• The most interesting interview so far on the trip was a conversation I had with retired NHL's Dave 'Tiger' Williams. Williams was skating at the I-Plex Tuesday morning and I had to sit down with him for an interview. Williams spoke about several former NHL players suing the league for not doing enough to protect players from things like concussions. "If you are worried about concussions, go play another sport. Go play ping pong. Go curling. You won't get a concussion curling", Williams said. "If you blew all your money as a player, to bad for you. Call me, I have some extra". Williams will play in the NHL Alumni Winter Classic at Tiger Stadium next month when the Leafs face the Red Wings. Ironically, Williams played for both teams over his 20 years in the NHL.    
• Seriously, if you are ever in Southwest Saskatchewan stay at the Best Western in Swift Current. The hotel is solid. I know what you are thinking. How good can it be? Again, it is clean and relatively new. It has flat screen TV's, great beds and the cleaning staff are awesome. It is as good a hotel as you will find anywhere in my opinion. Check it out and try and make me a liar.     

No lead is safe as Rockets win 8th straight

Rockets Jordon Cooke denies Warriors Sam Fioretti

• How many times in hockey have you seen one team open up a significant lead only to see the opponent battle back and either win the game or put the fear of God into the team that had it all under control? It happened Wednesday night in the Kelowna Rockets 6-3 win in Moose Jaw. A solid opening 27 minutes enabled the Rockets to build a commanding 4-0 lead before the Warriors rallied and eventually made it a one goal game. Fortunately for the Rockets, Carter Rigby's goal with just under five minutes left in the third period made it a two goal cushion before Ryan Olsen clinched it with an empty netter to make it a three goal deficit.
• It was nice to see Myles Bell score a pair of goals. The 20 year-old failed to find the back of the net Tuesday in Swift Current after hitting the goal post on a second period breakaway. Bell made up for it a night later by scoring once even strength and once on a breakaway shorthanded. It was Bell's 12th multi-goal game of his career. 
• The power play had some good looks against the Warriors but again it shot blanks. The power play went dry on six chances and appeared to struggle when it needed to step up in an effort to win the game. It is amazing to see a team leading the WHL in overall points and having a power play that is statistically the fourth worst unit among the 22 teams.
• A high five to rookie forward Justin Kirkland for defending himself in a scrap with Warriors defenceman Jesse Forsberg. Despite being three years younger, Kirkland did a good job against a much more experienced pugilist. It was Kirkland's first fight in the WHL while Forsberg has been around the block a few times when it comes to chucking the knuckles. To be honest, I am not a fan of a overage player going after a young guy like that who clearly doesn't play that type of game. So while it speaks of the character of Kirkland for standing up for himself, what does it say about Forsberg? I will let you answer that for yourself. 
• I had a concern about my lack of knowledge for the Warriors heading into Wednesday's game but those fears were put to rest considering the amount of time the same players were unitized on the ice. Leading scorer Travis Brown logged huge minutes as did Sam Fioritti, Brayden Point and Scott Cooke to name just a few.  
• You can't but be impressed by Mosaic Place. It is an unbelievable building that can only be seen in person to truly be appreciated. Everything about it is outstanding. A lot of thought went into its design. The press box is tremendous for visiting media and their isn't a bad seat in the building for the fans. Even the seats behind the team benches are raised, so when you are seated there as a fan, your vision isn't blocked by either coaches or players. The only criticism of the building I can find is the huge bowl with the high ceiling and restaurant/lounge at the north end may play a factor in killing the sound in the building and thus creating a dull atmosphere. 
• The sound system in the building is excellent. It is crystal clear. In Kelowna the sound is 'muddy' but I think the speakers in the building are the culprit there. In Swift Current, the sound system is nothing short of terrible. Whatever the case me be, I could clearly hear the PA announcer in the building in Moose Jaw and the music was loud but not irritating.
• Speaking of the PA announcer, I don't know who he was but he did an excellent job. He was clear in his delivery, wasn't over the top in any of the announcements he had to make and sounded like a complete pro. Also a high five for not using a goal horn when either the home team makes a good hit during the play or throws a few good punches at a visiting player during a fight. If you don't want to be considered 'small town', then don't do it. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs to give his/her head a shake. Trust me, its bush league. 
• The Rockets have now won eight in a row. Impressive, but it is four wins shy of the 12 the team recorded during the 2002-2003 season.  
• The Rockets have also won 9 straight games on the road. The last time that happened was from October 2/2005 to October 30/2005 when the team also won 9 straight road games. The longest road winning streak for the Rockets is 12 games during the 2003-2004 season. The longest undefeated streak on the road by the team was set in 2003, when from January 5th to March 1st the Rockets went 14 games without suffering a regulation loss.      
• A nice way to say goodbye to defenceman Damon Severson before he heads to Toronto for the start of Team Canada's training camp. Severson's parents made cheese cake for the entire team and presented the 'good eats' during the teams post-game meal in Moose Jaw. Good luck Damon in your quest to wear Canadian colours.
• The Rockets are now 2-0-0-0 on a six game Eastern Conference road trip. Up next is a date with the Brandon Wheat Kings Friday night.

Character win on the road

• The good teams don't give up when things look bleak. The Kelowna Rockets showed last night in Swift Current that even a hot goaltender can be beat if you are determined enough. Just when it looked like the home town Broncos were on their way to another home ice win, the Rockets scored three goals in a span of 2:39 in a 4-2 victory. The Broncos scored what appeared to be the back breaker with a shorthanded goal with just over five minutes left to play. But cue the comeback. Zach Franko would score the tying goal before Ryan Olsen would get the game winner on the power play with 1:08 left on the clock. Colton Heffley, playing his final game in Swift Current, sealed it with an empty net goal. 
• The win extended the teams winning streak to seven games and extended their road winning streak to eight games. Now with 23 wins, the Rockets have the bragging rights of having the most victories in the WHL. The two points at the I-Plex also moved the BC Division leaders into a two way tie with Portland for first place in the overall standings.
• The Rockets had to use late game heroics because of the terrific play of Broncos goaltender Eetu Laurikainen. The 20 year-old goaltender made no less than ten big stops in the game. The visitors dominated the third period by throwing 21 shots at the Swift Current net and carried the play for a large portion of the final 20 minutes. It looked like Laurikainen was going to steal this one and was full marks for being named the first star.
• Not outdone, Jordon Cooke was his solid self. Cooke made several significant saves, including a big one against Broncos forward Jake DeBrusk on a power play in the second period to keep the game tied at one. Cooke also had a sweet glove hand save against DeBrusk again in the third period.
• It was a battle of the Merkley's - Jay and Nick - Tuesday night and the younger Merkley delivered. Nick Merkley created some good things in the attacking zone and was in on Olsen's game winner.
• This was Zach Franko's best game of the season. The 20 year-old was on the puck, making smart plays and was clearly the best forward on the ice. Franko had great success buzzing around the Broncos net with the help of Kris Schmidli. The concern with Franko is his ability to repeat the  performance tonight when the road trip continues in Moose Jaw. 
• Speaking of Kris Schmidli, the European forward was involved in a second period fight and helped Franko score his tying goal in the third period. Schmidli also had several great chances to score but Laurikainen was on his game.    
• Tyrell Goulbourne scored his first goal in 12 games. The 19 year-old should also have been credited with an assist on Colton Heffley's empty netter to make the score 4-2. They ended up giving the helpers to Cole Martin and Rourke Chartier.
• The penalty killing unit should take a bow. The Broncos had the second best power play unit in the WHL at home and the Rockets shut them down on three occasions.  
• It was my first chance to see Broncos rookie sensation Julius Honka. It was a tough night for the Finn, who ended the night with a -2 rating. It was a tough night for a d-core in general, which typically doesn't spend a significant amount of time in their own zone. Because of a solid fore-check, specifically in the third period, the Rockets forced the 'big three' into playing a good portion of the period - and the game - inside their own end. 

Rockets game notes vs. Broncos

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets open an Eastern Conference road trip tonight in Swift Current against the Broncos. This is the first of six games in eight nights for the BC Division leaders. These two teams will meet just once this season. Last year in Kelowna, the Rockets earned a 6-5 win. Myles Bell and Tyson Ballie each had two assists in the victory on December 5/2012. Jordon Cooke earned the win making 14 saves. The Rockets are making their first visit to the I-Plex since December 11, 2011 in a 4-3 shootout loss. Overall, the Rockets have won six straight after victories against Kamloops (twice), Vancouver, Tri City, Everett and the Kootenay Ice. The Rockets have out-scored the opposition 19-10 over that stretch. Following tonight’s game the Rockets are in Moose Jaw (Wednesday), Brandon (Friday), Regina (Saturday), Prince Albert (Sunday) and Saskatoon (Tuesday December 17^th).

Eastern Conference Roady: The last time the Rockets were on an Eastern Conference road trip before Christmas was in 2011 when the team went 2-2-0-2. In 2009, the Rockets were 3-3-0-0. In both situations the team played six games in nine nights. In 2007, the Rockets were 3-1-0-1 but they did not play against the Broncos in Swift Current on that swing.    

Cooke Nominated: Rockets goaltender Jordon Cooke has been nominated for Vaughn Goaltender of the Week. Cooke had a 2-0-0-0 record last week with an average of 1.96 and a save percentage of .932. Cooke was named the first star in a win over Vancouver and then was named the second star in a 3-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips.      

Road Rash: Overall, the team has won 7 straight games on the road, having out-scored the opposition 30-15. In four of those seven road games the Rockets have allowed a single goal. Kamloops, Calgary and Saskatoon owned eight game road winning streaks last season – the longest in the WHL. The Rockets won 7 straight road games back in the 2010-2011 campaign between February 23^rd and March 18^th. Overall, the team has won 14 of their last 15 games.          

This and That: Tonight’s game marks the first time Rockets rookie Nick Merkley has ever played against his older brother Jay Merkley of the Broncos….Broncos athletic therapist Jamie LeBlanc will join Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert as members of the staff for Team West at the Under 17’s later this month….Four of the last six road games for the Rockets have been decided by a single goal…The Rockets have been out-shot on home ice five times this season…After losing two of his first three games, Jackson Whistle has won five straight….The Rockets have played in six shootout games this season and are 4 and 2. Three of the four shootout wins have come on the road in Victoria, Prince George and Seattle…Eighteen year-old Madison Bowey was named captain of the Kelowna Rockets November 1^st….Jordon Cooke was named WHL Goaltender of the Month for September/October. Cooke was 8-0-0-2 with a goals against average of 1.85…Sixteen year-old rookie forward Nick Merkley was named the CHL and WHL Player of the Week from September 30^th to October 6^th. Merkley had six points in three games including back-to-back two goal games before earning two assists in a 6-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks…Assistant Coach Dan Lambert has been named the head coach for Team West for the World Under 17 Challenge in Cape Breton Nova Scotia December 28-January 5^th….. Jordon Cooke is 33-4-0-2 at home in last 39 starts at home dating back to last season…Two members of the Rockets were named to Team Pacific for the upcoming Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in late December in Nova Scotia. Nick Merkley and Joe Gatenby have been added to the roster. Gatenby was the team’s second round pick in 2012…These two teams have been active in making trades over the years. In October of 2007, the Rockets picked up Brady Leavold for a conditional draft pick. In January of 2009, Swift Current dealt Mark Guggenberger to the team for a 5^th round bantam pick. In November of that next season, in the 2009-2010 campaign, the Rockets picked up Geordie Wudrick for Stepan Novotny and prospect Tanner Clark.                  

Who’s Hot: Madison Bowey had seven goals in November….Ryan Olsen has five goals in his last five games…Damon Severson is riding a four game point streak (2+3=5).…Tyson Baillie has 2+3=5 in his last five games.

Milestone Makers: Colton Heffley is playing in his 199^th career game tonight – 1 shy of 200.

Zach Franko has 184 points, 16 shy of 200 for his career.

Myles Bell is playing in his 284^th game tonight – 16 shy of 300.