Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Rockets Game Notes vs. Bruins

Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets and Bruins are meeting for the 6th of 8 times this season. The Rockets are 4-0-0-1, having out-scored Chilliwack 23-7. These two teams last met January 23rd with the Bruins earning a 5-4 shootout win. These two teams close out the seasonal series with games in Chilliwack February 22nd and March 6th. The Rockets enter tonight’s game with wins in 6 of their last 7 games (6-1-0-0) and have registered points in 11 of their last 12 games (9-1-1-1). This is the Rockets final home game before playing six straight games on the road. That road trip begins Friday night with a stop in Vancouver, Saturday in Everett, and Sunday against the Bruins in Chilliwack. The team then heads out on an Alberta road trip with stops in Medicine Hat, Calgary and Red Deer. The Rockets enter tonight’s game riding a 6 game home ice winning streak. The Rockets have out-scored the opposition 29-7 in those six games. The Rockets have allowed just one goal per game in 5 of those 6 games.

Last Game: Jamie Benn scored three times in the third period in the Rockets 4-3 loss in Portland Monday afternoon. The Hawks built up a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes and then hung on for the win. The loss snapped the Rockets season high 6 game winning streak. The Rockets were 1 for 9 on the power play while the Hawks were 2 for 5 with the man advantage. The Rockets out-shot the Hawks 42-22. Mark Guggenberger gave up 4 goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Adam Brown, who didn’t allow a goal on the three shots he faced.

Best of the West Poll Announced: The Tri City Herald’s Best of the West Poll was released this weekend and three Rockets were recognized. Jamie Benn was rated as having the best shot, and the most accurate. Riley Grantham was rated as the toughest player in the conference. Tyler Myers was rated as the best stay-at-home defenseman.

The Fastest to 40! Rockets forward Jamie Benn is one goal shy of 40 for the season. Benn has scored 39 times in just 44 games. Justin Keller was the last Rockets player to reach 40 goals, during the 2005-2006 season. Keller would score his 40th goal in his 58th game. Keller would go on to score 51 times that season. Chuck Kobasew scored his 40th goal for the Rockets in his 54th game during the 2001-2002 season. Jesse Schultz took 53 games to score his 40th in 2002-2003. Brett McLean scored his 40th goal of the season in his 51st game in 1997-98. Jason Deleurme took 53 games to score his 40th goal in 1997-98.

Very Interesting! Jamie Benn has three-three goal games this season. Benn also registered a hattrick against Kamloops and Lethbridge…Mark Guggenberger has won four of his last five starts, and has earned points in 9 of his last 10 appearances… The Rockets are 20-2-0-0 when Colin Long scores…The Rockets 24 home ice wins this season is three better than the teams 21 home ice victories one season ago…Goaltender Mark Guggenberger has started 10 of the last 13 games.…Tyson Barrie has set a new career high in point with 48, bettering his 43 point effort in his rookie season…The Rockets won their 30th game of the season February 3rd in Kamloops. It marked the 14th time in franchise history that the Rockets have enjoyed a 30+ win season. The Rockets last failed to win 30 games during the 2006-2007 campaign, when the team won just 22 times…The Rockets have just 14 games left in the regular season. Nine of those 14 are on the road. The Rockets have out-shot the opposition in 14 of the 16 games since the trade deadline. Only Tri City and Vancouver (twice) have out-shot the Rockets since the trade deadline…The Rockets power play is 17 for 63 in their last ten games (27%). The Rockets are 9-4-1-2 in sixteen games since the trade deadline…Mitchell Callahan has 12 fighting majors this season as 17 year-old. Teammate Curt Gogol – also 17 – has 8…Cody Almond is three points shy of his point total from last season.

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