Where life makes sense

After a 4-3 shootout loss to the Swift Current Broncos Friday night, the mood around the team remains positive. The second period may have been the teams best of the season. Not only did they dominate the territorial play but they scored twice. Unfortunately when you are a team playing with a lack of confidence you end up surrendering two goals in the third period and go into a defensive shell. The good teams only build on a 3-1 lead. The Rockets are still finding their way on what it takes to put the game out of reach.

The only negative I can take out of last night's game was the Rockets inability to get quality rubber on Broncos backup Austin Smith. While lurking around for long periods of time in the offensive zone, the shot total in the second should have been higher. Even in the shootout, the Rockets had the perfect scenario with Smith in goal. Yet of the six shooters, only one, Zach Franko, could get one past him.

Rockets forward Brett Bulmer left the team following the game in Swift Current. A Team Canada official drove him to Medicine Hat where he flew into Calgary for the start of Team Canada's main camp. My understanding is the roster should be finalized by December 14th, with Canada playing their first pre-tournament game on the 19th.

While the Rockets lose Bulmer, the Moose Jaw Warriors, who they face tonight, also lose leading scorer Quinton Howden. Howden is one of 16 WHL players attending Team Canada's training camp.

Jesse Astles is back in the lineup tonight after serving a three game suspension. The Rockets need the extra body with the loss of Bulmer.

It will be interesting to arrive at the new home of the Moose Jaw Warriors. The pictures of the brand new building are impressive. It will be nice to be in a broadcast location where you aren't afraid of getting your suit dirty. The old 'Crush Can' was a dirty place and needed to be put out to pasture. It brings back great memories, but some things just need an upgrade and they did it right in Moose Jaw.

In case you are wondering, we woke up this morning in Swift Current and the sun was shining and it must have been zero degrees if not better. A beautiful day in southwest Saskatchewan to say the least. No complaints in the first few days of the trip when it comes to weather. It's been great.

The Rockets spend the majority of the day in Swift Current, eating a pre-game meal here, before busing into Moose Jaw to play the game. Following the tilt with the Warriors the team bases out of Regina for the next four days.

More pic's from Moose Jaw will be uploaded to the blog later on tonight. Talk to you on AM 1150 this afternoon at 4:30 Kelowna time.