Monday, March 14, 2011

Make it five in a row

  • The Kelowna Rockets used creative ways in earning three straight wins on the weekend. A regulation win Friday in Kamloops was followed by a shootout victory Saturday night over the Blazers on home ice. Just to make things interesting Sunday, the Rocket used a 3-2 overtime win in Chilliwack to close out three games in three nights. Zach Franko scored with eight seconds left in overtime, extending the Rockets winning streak to five games.
  • It only seemed fitting that Evan Bloodoff earned the assist on the game winning goal. The 20 year-old used a great burst of speed to the outside on the Bruins defenceman before being stopped by goaltender Braden Gamble. Franko went hard to the net to pick up the garbage and chipped the puck over the netminder for the Rockets 42nd win of the season. Bloodoff had numerous chances to score in the game but was unable to find the back of the net or simply missed the goal with several close chances. If he could capitalize on the chances he creates, Bloodoff could easily be flirting with 30 goals.
  • It was nice to see the Rockets receive goals from someone other than their top five point producers. Cody Chikie and Mitchell Chapman scored second period goals to give the Rockets a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.
  • The coaching staff may have to consider using Chapman full time as a forward. His physical presence as a forward is so valuable. Crashing and banging and becoming a menace inside the offensive zone is valuable to an undersized forward core. I am not sure if Chapman is sold on moving up front, but the goal he scored Sunday night sure put a huge smile on his face as his wrap around attempt beat Gamble.
  • The Chapman goal started after Colton Heffley threw a check deep in the Bruins zone, stole the puck and then dumped if off to Chapman for the wrap around. You have to love those grit and sand paper goals from the fourth line.
  • The only fight of the game came in the third period after Jessey Astles delivered a hard hit on Bruins d-man Jeff Einhorn. Bruins defenceman Zach Habscheid traded punches with Astles in an even tilt.
  • I'm loving Mr. Magee. I am speaking of Bruins 16 year-old rookie Brandon McGee. Look out for this player next season and in years to come. Magee is small but skilled and has a quick release. I am not sure he was first star worthy last night, but the kids a player.
  • Rookie goaltender Jordon Cooke returned between the pipes and didn't disappoint. Cooke was again quick as a cat and didn't look out of step despite his limited ice time.
  • The Rockets now sit an amazing 14 points up on Vancouver for first place in the BC Division. With three games left to go, they still have an outside shot at catching Tri City for the 3rd most points in the Western Conference.

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