Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Excitement!

  • Excitement. That would best describe the Kelowna Rockets emotion heading into Wednesday nights game against the Vancouver Giants. The players won't say it publicly, but my general feeling is this game will give them a good sense of how good they are since acquiring four players - prior to and at - the trade deadline.
  • Even forward Mikael Backlund knows the importance of playing well against the Giants, and my gut tells me the 19 year-old forward will be at his best Wednesday night. Backlund seems to play his best in the 'big game'.
  • I've heard chatter from hockey fans over the last couple of days questioning coach Huska's handling of this talented team. Give me a break! This new group has been together for three friggin games. If you are about to push the panic button without this team being allowed to come together, something is wrong with the mentality of the fans, not the coaching staff. Think of it this way. If you added four new people to your work place, would everything work smoothly on day one? Would their be some miscommunication and mistakes made along the way?
  • Backlund struggled on the weekend and admits he didn't bring his 'A' game to the table in losses in Prince George. But can you blame him. Backlund is likely experiencing the world junior hockey championship hangover, is playing away from home for the first time in his career, and is now playing on a smaller ice surface. Throw in the fact he is playing with a new team in a place called Kelowna, are we asking a bit much by thinking this teenager won't miss a beat as he makes the jump to major junior.
  • Go out and play. That's the message Rockets head coach Ryan Huska has for Backlund. Don't worry about making mistakes, just go out and do the things that you do best. Shoot the puck, create scoring chances and be a threat offensively. That's what the Rockets need from Backlund.
  • Look for Colin Long to be reunited with Jamie Benn Wednesday night. Likely joining those two will be Stepan Novotny, who outside of Cody Almond, has really stepped up his play.
  • Almond with Backlund and Ian Duval make up a solid second unit.
  • Early February. That's when Kyle St. Denis should be back in the lineup. The return date is likely February 3rd in Kamloops. In speaking to St. Denis today, the cast has been removed and his wrist is about 85 to 90 percent healed. St. Denis says he has been given clearance to join the team next Wednesday against Prince George, but they will sit him out an extra couple of days to make sure his wrist gets added healing time.

5 comments:

apsco17 said...

Great news about St Denis. I recall before he got hurt he seemed like the best Rocket on the ice in a lot of those games. Also good to hear about Benn & Long playing on the same line again. Based on their history togther, how could you seperate those two? Thanks for all the updates Regan - much appreciated.!

Rocketwatcher said...

Patient right thru the first round...No one is sayng the coaching is bad suddenly....try for a while......

MG said...

Blaming the coach is the easiest excuse ever and it is used way too often. Huska has had these new players for only 3 games like Regan said and I believe, given that Long and Benn are being put back together that Huska is doing his best to find the right line combo's that will maximize the effestivness of the team's offensive depth. Once these lines gel and get used to each other the Rockets will start looking like the team the fans expect.

Rocketwatcher said...

I don't take assessing blame of coaches lightly, believe me. The sentiment of ex players, ex coaches, and present day scouts is that unfortunately, Kelowna is not and has not performed according to expectations. Sooner or later scrutiny falls on the coaches, plural. Are the kids playing nervous, scared, tight?? And if so, why?? Being looked at if you are in coaching comes with the territory, and Huska and Co. have been there as players. So why is the team not coming together? It is too early to comment on the new players, only the teams performance before they got here, I agree. And if you think that the teams record is fine, and the development of the players is good, then that is your opinion. It isn't everyones, though. Going out of town for a while it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks. Good luck to the boys....

3stuges said...

Brutal refs tonight.....would have loved to hear their explanation for not calling the Long trip in the 3rd.