Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Lots of shots, same result

It isn't often a team generates 40 shots on goal and losses. The Kelowna Rockets experienced that first hand Tuesday night in a 5-3 road loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Colton Sissons scored twice in a losing cause while Carter Rigby added his 9th goal of the season in the teams 16th loss of the season.
The 40 shots on goal was a new season high.
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Despite being out-shot 17-7 in the first period, the Rockets found themselves tied at one goal apiece. Colton Sissons scored his 17th goal of the season, matching his goal total from all of last season.
The Wheat Kings scored three unanswered goals in the second period, including two in a span of 1:25, to take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission. Those two quick goals put a team that has failed to win a game after trailing after two periods in a huge hole.

Down by three, the Rockets didn't give up. Despite losing two players to injury (more on that later), Sissons would score his second of the game, a shorthanded goal, to make it 4-2. Unfortunately the comeback bid would end, when on the power play, the Wheat Kings would get a shorthanded goal to put the game out of reach. Rigby's 9th goal of the season late in the game closed out the scoring.

At the start of the season I wouldn't have believed that Carter Rigby would have the third most goals on the team after 33 games. Rigby has nine goals, matching the same number Shane McColgan has this season. Sissons has a team leading 18 followed by Brett Bulmer's 11.

The Rockets lost 17 year-old d-man Damon Severson on the first shift of the game with a hand injury. Severson did not return.

Forward Tyrell Goulbourne was hit 11 minutes into the game on a clean body check by Wheat Kings d-man Ryan Pulock.
Goulbourne did not return.

Fifteen year-old Justin Kirkland made his WHL debut Tuesday night. The 5th round bantam pick saw limited ice time wearing sweater #21.

The Rockets play their second game in as many night's Wednesday when they face the Regina Pats. The Pats, led by 19 year-old Jordon Weal, are coming off a 8-4 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Sunday.
The game also marks the first time the two teams have met since Colton Jobke was traded to the Pats, along with a second round pick, for Myles Bell.
AM 1150 has the game, starting with the pre-game show at 4:30 pm.

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