Sunday, February 8, 2015

Rockets keep streak alive vs. Blazers

  • 17! That is the number of consecutive wins the Kelowna Rockets have over the Kamloops Blazers dating back to the 2012-2013 season. The Rockets improved to 7-0-0-0 in the seasonal series against their BC Division rivals with back-to-back wins on the weekend. Friday night the Rockets earned a 5-3 win before recording a 5-2 victory last night in Kamloops. Those two victories pushed the teams total to 41 in just 53 games and gives them an impressive 86 points on the season. As good as the record may be, the Rockets have a slim one point lead on Brandon who have played one more game than the WHL leaders.
  • Saturday night's win pushed the Rockets undefeated streak to 8 games. More accurately, the team has points now in eight straight games (7-0-0-1) as shootout losses or still considered losses. They essentially lost a game in the skills competition. The Rockets had a solid first period against the Blazers Saturday night, which was enough in recording its 23rd road win of the season. They manufactured four goals and numerous top quality scoring chances. It was the team's best period of the two games on the weekend. At the end of the night, Justin Kirkland would score twice while collecting an assist giving him 39 points, the exact same point total he had all of last season. Kirkland is now riding a 6 game point streak with 5+5=10.
  • The best goal came courtesy of rookie Dillon Dube on a first period power play. Five different players touched the puck in a masterful display of skill and execution. Check out the highlites on the Rockets website to get a better appreciation of that goal. It was text book terrific!
  • The Rockets have 23 road wins, as many victories on opposition ice as seven team's have in total wins this season.
  • Tyson Baillie was hit in the head by Blazers forward Quinn Benjafield with about five minutes to play in the third period. Baillie was clocked on the blindsided hit and slowly made his way to the Rockets bench. Without question Benjafield will be suspended for his actions. It is unclear if Baillie will play Monday against Prince George.      
  • The Rockets record is now 41-8-3-1 after 53 games. Last season after 53 games the record were 43-7-0-3. The team has scored 232 goals this season. After 53 games last season the team scored 231 times. The hockey club has allowed 134 goals against so far this season. At this point last year the team had allowed 135 goals against.
  • Rourke Chartier scored a goal in his third consecutive game, giving the 18 year-old 43 goals on the season. Chartier is also riding a four game point streak with 3+4=7.
  • Gage Quinney had a solid weekend playing on a line with Tyson Baillie and Dillon Dube. Quinney earned two assists Saturday night, extending his point streak to four games (3+3=6). 
  • Josh Morrissey is quietly going about his business. The 19 year-old has a modest four game point streak (0+4=4) and is +10 over his last eight games.
  • Jake Morrissey has a regulation win and a shootout win in Kamloops this season. The 17 year-old was given the start Saturday night with Jackson Whistle sidelined with an injury. Morrissey owns some of the best goaltending numbers in the WHL after earning yet another win in his first season in the league. Morrissey is now 5-1-0-1 with a sparkling goals against average of 1.97.
  • Up next the Rockets face the Prince George Cougars on home ice for a BC Family Day afternoon tilt at Prospera Place. Game time is 2:05. 

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