- I ran into Graham Lee and Dave Dakers at Tuesday nights hockey game. Lee is the President and CEO of R.G Properties, the owners/operators of Prospera Place. I wonder if he is still mulling over the addition of a new scoreboard, or if he feels the existing one with the small monitor is sufficient enough?
- Lee should seriously consider additional space in the media/broadcast location at Prospera Place. I am thinking little thought was put into how big the press box should have been when the arena was built in 1998 for play in the 1999 season. How inadequate is the press box? Just look at the temporary riser that the Rockets have installed in the corner of the arena to house the print media for this series. Good on the Rockets for providing that space, but it just shows how the press box needs to expand in the very near future.
- If Prospera Place indeed gets an upgrade, they may want to look at improved lighting as well. I really noticed a difference when comparing Pacific Coliseum, the home of the Giants, with the dim lighting at Prospera. Granted, Pacific Coliseum received a new lighting system with the 2010 Winter Olympics closing in, but a brighter atmosphere on the playing surface wouldn't hurt the cause at the home of the Rockets.
- It was nice to see Giants co-owner Pat Quinn at Tuesday's game, but does Ron Toigo make many road trips? That makes me go hmm.
- After looking at video on the game winning goal in game three, the shot appeared to beat Guggenberger high to the glove hand side, not short side as stated in an earlier post.
- Jamie Benn’s 25 points in this years playoffs has already exceeded the total of the leading point getter in last years playoffs. Calgary’s T.J Galiardi had 24 points to lead the WHL in scoring in 2008. The last player to register over 25 points in the playoffs was Vancouver Giants forward Michal Repik, who had 26 points (10+16=26) in the 2007 post season.
- When is Jamie Benn going to get really angry in this series? Remember when he plowed over Giants defenceman Jon Blum in a regular season game with two solid hits? An angry Jamie Benn is good news for the Rockets, and bad news for Vancouver.
- Is Colin Long hurt? I have been asked that question numerous times in this years playoffs, including once by a player from the opposition. With just two goals in 13 games - one being an empty netter - its a fair question. Long has failed to register a point in three games in this series. My belief is he's healthy, yet has been snake bitten in the post season.
- I guess the same could be said for Giants forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel. The overager has just one goal in his last 8 playoff games. That goal was the overtime winner in game two.
- Benn is three points shy of the Rockets franchise record for points in one playoff season. Jesse Schultz holds the record after putting up 28 points in the 2003 playoffs. Benn has 25.
- Six-first round bantam picks are participating in the WCCS. Tyson Sexsmith (04), James Wright (05) and Evander Kane (06) are first round picks for the Giants. Tyler Myers (05), Tyson Barrie (06) and Shane McColgan (08) are first round bantam picks of the Rockets.
- Two of the three games in this series have been decided by a single goal.
- For the first time in this series the team which scored the opening goal of the game didn’t win. That was the case Tuesday when the Rockets' Cody Almond scored.
- For the first time in 9 playoff games the Rockets lost despite out-shooting their opponent. The Rockets out-shot the Giants in game three, yet fell 3-2.
- I received a neat e-mail from Cathy Thorburn today. The mother of Rockets athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn is cheering loud and proud back in New Brunswick. Cathy told me she can't watch the games because Shaw isn't available in that neck of the woods. She has to settle for listening to Gord McGarva and I call the play-by-play on the Internet. At least we have one listener in this series.
- A former Kelowna Rocket will play in this years Western Hockey League final. Jason MacDonald is part of the Calgary Hitmen, the Eastern Conference champions. MacDonald was part of a six player deal with Regina that included the playing rights to Kyle St. Denis.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Things That Make Me Go Hmm...
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20 comments:
following up on your comment about the scoreboard.... it sure is nice to go vancouver and to be able to see replays.We have a beautiful facility and the screen would just add to the experience and excitement of live hockey. Lets hope the ownership thinks the same way..
the shaw broadcasters commented on our antiquated scoreclock
I would be willing to pay an extra dollar per ticket to have the replay screen on the scoreboard. If all 6000 seats were charged an extra dollar times 36 home games per year that would be 216,000 per year that help cover the expense of the new scoreboard. Thats only from the rocket games, there are plenty of other events that would benefit from the screen: the Neil Young concert last night for instance. Will management ever formally address this issue? Or is prospera just a cash cow for its owners no matter what the state of the facility?
You're waiting for Benn to get mad? Two-handing Sexsmith on the back of the legs during a scrum well after the play wasn't enough? Punk deserved a match...
original6,thanks for stopping by. Now where the heck is hocus_lopez in all of this? I need his opinion on Colin Long. I miss that dude.
The last part of your statement is bang on...Prospera is a cash cow for its owners no matter what the state of the facility. Bingo!
Dan you would really have hated the WHL back a few years, huh? If Sexsmith could walk , skate, and finish the game then it was a foolish waste of time to chop him. I'll bet Benn wishes he never did it now..it simply wasn't worth it..to think that there are players out there that will NOT do anything to win is naive. And the way Sexsmith dives there is no way a ref is going to assess a match only to be embarrassed that he embellished it or worse. Playoff hockey is what it is.....
Its true that Prospera was built and is operated for the owner's to make money. But don't forget that no one else, including government, was willing to build it at the time.
Without RG we might still be at Memorial, and we would not be watching Major Jr. guaranteed.
And....I hope Benn gets even madder, because that's when he's best.
I hope this whole Benn slash thing doesnt get blown outta wack...It was a stupid thing to do, but still I personally dont think it was that big of a deal.
A new scoreboard would be great! Anyone know how much they cost....
somewheres in the million mark
What a terrible comment calling a Rocket hockey player a punk. I am not saying that what Jamie did was right but then I have made mistakes in my life, I guess Dan has never made any mistakes. We do not know all that goes on on the ice and the refs miss a lot. The Rocket boys are by far the best team on the ice and I love them all very much. GO ROCKETS GO!!!!
How can you call one of our Rocket boys a punk. I am not saying that I agree with what Jamie did but then I have made mistakes in my life, I guess you have never made a mistake Dan. The Rocket boys are by far the best team on the ice and I love them all very much.
GO ROCKETS GO!!!!
In the Vancouver Sun he was called a fourth line plugger. If Granny read that, that should only motivate him more tonight.
Rocketfan, you're right - I've never made any mistakes on the ice. Oh wait, yes I have - and I've had to pay for them! It was a punk move that didn't even get a minor call. Right in front of both refs! As for Granny, I doubt he can even read so I wouldn't be too concerned about his feeling getting hurt. Anyway, Go Giants Go!!!
Regan: I too have been wondering what is up with Long in the playoffs. One explanation might be that it has been a long year on the captain. Long was one of the only every night "guarantees" for this team in a year during which the team was often young, inexperienced and lean, due to injuries and the World Juniors. Second, it has, in my opinion, been a year in which Long must have had some disappointment, especially after Team USA left him off of the WJ team, and most recently, when the Coyotes delayed moving forward on a contract until after the playoffs. In the last two seasons, where he put up some great numbers, the WJ snub and the slow trigger of the PC, would tend to make one feel that they are always walking up hill. That's not to say that he hasn't received some great accolades, but when one's lifetime goal is likely a career in the NHL, did Phoenix's recent move motivate or deflate, you tell me.
Anyway, let's just win this game tonight, take 2 of the next 3, and keep this great season going.
Go Rockets.
Interesting comments regarding Long. Personally, I think he's playing well. We're seeing some of his best defensive hockey ever (both full strength and on the kill). I agree he may be a little snake bit, but you can't discount the fact he's worked his tail off for two years and people still question his desire. I think the pts he has this far in the post season is impressive. I'd like to see more goals, but he's primarily a playmaker.
I like his game in the post season, and I think he has plenty more to offer.
Hey "DAN" ever heard of KBF?? You'll be next!! Kanes a winer & Sexsmith is a showboat!! Enough said!!
Sorry g.k, I honestly don't know what KBF's are. I have some ideas involving Kelowna and something sexually explicit, but I assume that's not what you mean.
Gonna be a great game tonight - almost drove up for it. Have fun!!! -dan
oh Dan it looks like Granny is doing his job getting under the skin of the giants and there fans
GO ROCKETS GO !!!!
Too bad you didn't come up for the game Dan, would have loved the sight of egg rolling down your face... :)
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