I know what your thinking.
Like a serial killer, the Kelowna Rockets are walking along death row towards their demise.
The death sentence has been cast, the electric chair awaits!
While the Rockets face the Vancouver Giants tonight in what appears to be a losing battle before it even starts, I'm taking a bit of a different approach to this game.
Losers of 3 in a row, the Rockets are not setting the league on fire with their less than superior play, yet the way this team has played against the teams in the upper crust of the Western Hockey League, I have a good feeling heading into this one.
Of the 18 games the Rockets have won this season, they have beaten the Blazers three times, and Everett, Medicine Hat and Vancouver once.
That means 33% of the Rockets wins this season have come against team on or near the top of their respective divisions.
The old saying 'you play to the level of your competition' truly apply to the Rockets this season.
Like a serial killer, the Kelowna Rockets are walking along death row towards their demise.
The death sentence has been cast, the electric chair awaits!
While the Rockets face the Vancouver Giants tonight in what appears to be a losing battle before it even starts, I'm taking a bit of a different approach to this game.
Losers of 3 in a row, the Rockets are not setting the league on fire with their less than superior play, yet the way this team has played against the teams in the upper crust of the Western Hockey League, I have a good feeling heading into this one.
Of the 18 games the Rockets have won this season, they have beaten the Blazers three times, and Everett, Medicine Hat and Vancouver once.
That means 33% of the Rockets wins this season have come against team on or near the top of their respective divisions.
The old saying 'you play to the level of your competition' truly apply to the Rockets this season.
That's why I have been somewhat critical of them when the work ethic hasn't been there against teams they should beat.
When they play hard, no matter who is in the lineup, they don't just compete, but by george they can win!
I also truly believe their is a genuine 'fear' of being embarrassed, and that's why this team seems to elevate it's play against the top dog's.
I also truly believe their is a genuine 'fear' of being embarrassed, and that's why this team seems to elevate it's play against the top dog's.
How else can you explain it?
Chris Ray's return couldn't come at a better time.
The captain has missed the last four games with a badly bruised shoulder, and the Rockets have subsequently gone 1-3-0-0 with the 20 year-old out of the lineup.
I was told that Ray did skate yesterday, but not with the team, telling me the Rockets third leading scorer may be a game time decision, or the training staff will let him heal for another two days before he hits the road with the team for games in Prince George this weekend.
I was told that Ray did skate yesterday, but not with the team, telling me the Rockets third leading scorer may be a game time decision, or the training staff will let him heal for another two days before he hits the road with the team for games in Prince George this weekend.
Frankly if Ray was even at 90 percent I'd put him in the lineup, and let him take key face-offs, and in a worse case scenario have him just sit on the bench and apply his strong leadership to a team that needs the veteran's presence at this juncture of the season.
The coaches can say all they want to calm the waters of a team trying to keep their head above water, but Ray is the man with the life preserver in his hand.
He is the team's emotional leader, and is needed desperately with 9 games left to go, and time running out.
With 8 of those nine against teams from the BC division, Ray can be a valuable asset to a young team looking for answers.
It may answer questions as to why he wasn't dealt at the W.H.L trade deadline, pointing again that his value goes far beyond just point totals.
A former N.H.L coach once said "Will beats skill".
That saying should be entrenched in the players minds with 9 games left to go!
If they truly take that motto to heart, it will be the Chilliwack Bruins, not the Kelowna Rockets going to the executioner when the regular season comes to an end.
Side Note: Rookie Tyson Barrie is expected to be back in the Rockets lineup tonight.
Barrie has already played 4 games with the team as an underage player, but because of the Rockets shortage of players because of injury and the Canada Winter Games, the league has granted him an additonal 5 games.
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