I am officially concerned!
An expansion team has the ability of sending the Kelowna Rockets into uncharted territory.
It's a place only four teams will reside at the end of the regular season. It's a place the Rockets have never found themselves, since breaking into the league in the fall of 1991 as the Tacoma Rockets.
Failing to earn a playoff birth for the first time in franchise history is officially a distinct possibility!
While many fans around these parts may have had that feeling prior to Christmas, I for one didn't think it would happen until now.
An expansion team has the ability of sending the Kelowna Rockets into uncharted territory.
It's a place only four teams will reside at the end of the regular season. It's a place the Rockets have never found themselves, since breaking into the league in the fall of 1991 as the Tacoma Rockets.
Failing to earn a playoff birth for the first time in franchise history is officially a distinct possibility!
While many fans around these parts may have had that feeling prior to Christmas, I for one didn't think it would happen until now.
The Bruins win over Everett last night in overtime gives them 43 points, the exact same number as the Rockets.
Scary!
I wouldn't have predicted at the start of the season that the Rockets would find themselves neck and neck with Chilliwack heading into the final 4 weeks of the regular season.
Should we be surprised at the Bruins success in their first year of operation in the Western Hockey League?
I am!
The Bruins are playing with only 3-20 year old's this season, two under the league limit. That's pretty impressive considering the Everett Silvertips had 5 overages when they broke into the league in 2003-2004.
Taking advantage of having the first overall pick in the Canadian Hockey League European draft when they picked up Oscar Moller didn't hurt.
Was it good scouting prior to the draft, or just plain luck?
I wouldn't have predicted at the start of the season that the Rockets would find themselves neck and neck with Chilliwack heading into the final 4 weeks of the regular season.
Should we be surprised at the Bruins success in their first year of operation in the Western Hockey League?
I am!
The Bruins are playing with only 3-20 year old's this season, two under the league limit. That's pretty impressive considering the Everett Silvertips had 5 overages when they broke into the league in 2003-2004.
Taking advantage of having the first overall pick in the Canadian Hockey League European draft when they picked up Oscar Moller didn't hurt.
Was it good scouting prior to the draft, or just plain luck?
Whatever it was the Bruins look brilliant with the Swede in their lineup.
Moller has been nothing short of special, with 26 goals and 50 points in 56 games in his rookie season.
What is more amazing is Moller is just 17, meaning he will likely play for the Bruins for another two seasons.
The Bruins also cashed in during the off season by persuading Mark Santorelli to leave the B.C Hockey League and join them for an expansion season fans on the lower mainland will never forget.
Santorelli has 23 goals and 64 points in 61 games in his rookie season.
Santorelli has more points than the Rockets top two goal scorers combined. Justin Bernhardt has 33 points while Chris Ray has 30. Add them up and it totals 63 points.
Not many people know that Santorelli was originally selected by the Tri City Americans in the bantam draft, but at the time the Burnaby, B.C resident wasn't interested going to the U.S with a team that at the time was in shambles both on and off the ice.
Forgive Rockets fans if they are feeling a sense of deja-vu at this point of the season.
It would mark the second time that the Rockets have felt the wrath of an expansion franchise?
Look no further than to 2003-2004 when the Everett Silvertips became the league's 20th team and set new league records for success in it's inaugural season.
The Tips not only broke into the league in 2003-2004 as the new kids on the block, but they busted out in a big way finishing first in the U.S division with 35 wins.
That season Seattle was wondering what happened, when they failed to make the playoffs while the expansion franchise not only won the division, but advanced all the way to the league final by beating the Rockets in 7 games in the conference final before losing out to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Let's be honest here.
Moller has been nothing short of special, with 26 goals and 50 points in 56 games in his rookie season.
What is more amazing is Moller is just 17, meaning he will likely play for the Bruins for another two seasons.
The Bruins also cashed in during the off season by persuading Mark Santorelli to leave the B.C Hockey League and join them for an expansion season fans on the lower mainland will never forget.
Santorelli has 23 goals and 64 points in 61 games in his rookie season.
Santorelli has more points than the Rockets top two goal scorers combined. Justin Bernhardt has 33 points while Chris Ray has 30. Add them up and it totals 63 points.
Not many people know that Santorelli was originally selected by the Tri City Americans in the bantam draft, but at the time the Burnaby, B.C resident wasn't interested going to the U.S with a team that at the time was in shambles both on and off the ice.
Forgive Rockets fans if they are feeling a sense of deja-vu at this point of the season.
It would mark the second time that the Rockets have felt the wrath of an expansion franchise?
Look no further than to 2003-2004 when the Everett Silvertips became the league's 20th team and set new league records for success in it's inaugural season.
The Tips not only broke into the league in 2003-2004 as the new kids on the block, but they busted out in a big way finishing first in the U.S division with 35 wins.
That season Seattle was wondering what happened, when they failed to make the playoffs while the expansion franchise not only won the division, but advanced all the way to the league final by beating the Rockets in 7 games in the conference final before losing out to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Let's be honest here.
Tuesday's game against the Bruins at home is HUGE!
It's a must win situation for the Rockets, despite having two games in hand on the Bruins.
For a team as fragile mentally as the Rockets are, a loss and sole possession of last place in the BC division would be devastating with time dwindling down.
Panic would instantly set in.
If the Rockets are anything like their 'radio guy' - it already has.
It's a must win situation for the Rockets, despite having two games in hand on the Bruins.
For a team as fragile mentally as the Rockets are, a loss and sole possession of last place in the BC division would be devastating with time dwindling down.
Panic would instantly set in.
If the Rockets are anything like their 'radio guy' - it already has.
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