Saturday, January 30, 2010

Rockets win 4th straight

  • While Tyson Barrie's record breaking power play goal in the third period was memorable, his shootout goal had people talking after the game. It appeared Barrie wanted to go to the backhand, but once he saw Cougars goaltender Hudson Stremmel go down deep in his net he stayed on the forehand and roofed the puck just inside the cross bar for the game winning goal.
  • Outside of Tyson Barrie's record setting performance, the best player on the ice was Stremmel. Stremmel made several big saves and ended up facing 52 shots on the night. Those 52 shots is a Kelowna Rockets season high. Had the Cougars won, Stremmel would have been the games #1 star.
  • A great effort by Prince George. Not only did they play the game without d-men Art Bidlevskii and Jesse Forsberg, an 11 game losing streak had to be dragging this team down mentally. Yet in saying that, the Cougars - as a team - worked hard and received solid efforts from several veteran players. Forward Parker Stanfield played with purpose while Nick Buonassisi was dangerous. They were far better Friday night than what we witnessed in back-to-back games in Prince George the weekend prior. On this night they probably deserved better. If the Cougars play like they did Friday night, the Giants better be on their game tonight.
  • The Swedish Women's Olympic Hockey Team took in last night's game. Wearing matching blue-yellow and white track suits tends to make you stick out. The Swedish Women's team are using Kelowna as a training ground for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
  • The win was the Rockets 4th straight. Over that period the Rockets have out-scored the opposition 18-8.
  • The win moves the Rockets within 2 points of 7th place Chilliwack and 14 points up on 9th place Seattle.
  • Brandon McMillan could have had a highlight reel goal after he out-skated a Cougars defenceman for a loose puck inside the Prince George zone. McMillan raced to the puck, was bodied off it and fell to the ice, sliding into Cougars goaltender Hudson Stremmel. On his back he swiped at the loose puck with his stick sending it off the side of the net.
  • Is it just me or is Spencer Main getting better? Main made a tremendous defensive play by taking a sure goal away late in the third period when he out-muscled a Cougars forward off the puck at the side of the net with his team holding a slim 3-2 lead.
  • The Cougars dressed 15 year-old Carter Rigby. Rigby had no less than two solid chances to score. Not a bad WHL debut for the midget player from Penticton.

2 comments:

jaz301 said...

That was a more intense game than I thought it would have been. Stemmel really kept the cougars in the game.I guess you never doubt the underdog.

Is it just me or to the Rocket seem for the most part play sloppy games? They just seem to have those certain spark moments and end up scoring a goal. But I guess a win is a win no matter how you get it done.

Regan Bartel said...

Agreed. At times last night they struggled in the d-zone. Soft clearing attempts and far to much passing when the Cougars were on the forecheck. Tonight's game against the Tigers will show the Rockets true colours on the blue line. This d is improved since the deadline, but to what degree? We'll discuss that after the game.