Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Home Ice Success Continues

  • Home ice is proving to be an advantage in the second round playoff series between the Kelowna Rockets and Tri City Americans. For the third straight game the home team managed to record a win, as the Rockets prevailed with a 7-2 win at Prospera Place.
  • The Rockets received goals from seven different goal scorers. Jamie Benn had a goal and three assists while the Rockets scored four times on the power play. The Americans still lead the series 2 games to 1 heading into game four tonight.
  • The Rockets 7 goal outburst matched the teams total of 7 goals scored in a game April 9/ 2004 in a 7-2 home ice win over what team? The Tri City Americans.
  • I didn't know what to think when the Americans registered the first shot on goal just 20 seconds into the game, and then were given a power play chance less than a minute into the contest after Collin Bowman received a penalty for delay of game, after shooting the puck over the glass.
  • A big hit early by rookie Curt Gogol on Americans defenseman Mitch McColm set the tone. It's that type of clean, physically play, that can turn the tide in your favor. It showed the Americans that the Rockets wouldn't go down easily in this one.
  • Rockets head coach Ryan Huska often says by working hard, you are often times rewarded with breaks or bounces. The work ethic was much improved by the home team, resulting in some favorable bounces, translating in the lopsided score.
  • The Rockets had seven scoring chances in the opening period. The Americans had just two.
  • The Rockets power play was impressive, but the penalty kill was also solid, giving up only one goal in seven kills.
  • 16. That was the number of shots the Rockets allowed on goal. It was a team blocking clinic by the home team, which allowed just three shots in the opening period and nine shots after 40 minutes.
  • The Americans were without captain Taylor Procyshen, who was out with a undisclosed injury. Procyshen was hurt sometime in the third period of game two, yet was able to score a late third period goal on the power play to win the game.
  • The only disappointing aspect of the game was the crowd. 52 hundred fans took in game three, about 800 short of a sell-out. Many teams would be happy with that crowd, but for the Rockets not to enjoy a packed building at this time of the year is unheard of.
  • WHL Vice President of Hockey Richard Doerksen attended the contest.
  • Regina Pats GM Brent Parker took in the game.
  • I ran into Torrie Jung at last night's game. I'll have an interview with the former Rocket, now Edmonton Oil King goaltender tonight on the pre-game show on AM-1150.

27 comments:

KBF said...

You left out the part about the Ams missing 162 points out of their lineup with Reese and Procyshen being injured.

Jared Comeau said...

KBf....Procyshen wouldn't have made a difference in this game

Regan Bartel said...

I did comment that Procyshen was a surprise scratch. I saw him in the broadcast booth before the game and he was limping. Reese missed the second straight game after being injured in game one. It has to be a bad knee left knee injury, as I didn't even see Reese at the arena. I wouldn't be shocked if he failed to make the trip.

StolzHockey said...

It's funny how when the Blazers injured Backlund and St. Denis it was all part of the game.

But when the Rockets rip a page out of the Blazers play book, we shouldn't get any credit.

I guess this point is irrelevant anyways considering the Rockets actually won a game.

Mikaela said...

FYI:

Chet PICKard...not PECKard
Justin FAZER...not Fes-her
Mitch McColm...Just like how it sounds buddy.
Petr Stock-La-Saw...not stoke-lasa
Taylor Pro-Se-Shin

KBF said...

Backlund? Man, that guy is softer than a package of 24 rolls of Charmaine toilet paper.

I would hope the Rockets would win a game since alot of Rocket fans thought they'd take the Ams out in 5.

Jared, don't be silly, they would of so made a difference. When they were in the lineup, the Rockets had a hard time competing to their level. And you know it.

And again, I see Regan not takin the time or having respect for the other team by trying to practice the other team's names so he doesn't get them wrong.

spokant said...

Jared - Taylor's presence goes beyond his scoring ability. He is an ENORMOUS part of the Ams' PK and PP. He led +/- by a mile during the regular season. And you don't think having one of the top-scoring 20s in the league would have made a difference? Not to mention his leadership!

The Ams are playing without two of their top 3 scorers and the third, Fadden, is doubtfully at 100% after the boarding by Myers. I'm not taking away anything from Kelowna's effort as they were clearly there to make a statement last night, but if you think they beat the *real* Tri-City Americans, you're wrong.

Regan Bartel said...

Every broadcaster is given a pronounciation guide at the start of the season, which is approved by every WHL broadcaster in the league.
So when you look at the Tri City roster this is how the names are suppose to be pronounced (according to the guide).

Stoklasa - Stawk-lah-sah
Macek - Mah-chek
Pickard - Pih-kurd

Yet I am sure Tri City broadcaster Craig West says all three names differently than whats on the pronounciation guide.

Sir Loungealot said...

Good to see the big guns respond. I like the sense of urgency, and I'm hopeful they'll keep it up.

Despite the increase in scoring, I'm still a little confused with the line juggling. IMO, chemistry has been lacking all year with the top 2 lines. Maybe things would be different with a healthy St.D. Notwithstanding the above, I really can't complain if they continue to win.

No one who is a fan of the Rockets wants this series go to a 7th game. However as many of us noted at the beginning of this series, a longer series benefits Kelowna. TC just doesn't have the size to play a physical series (as is now evidenced by the injuries in games 1&2). That being said, I still think it will be over in 6.

The lack of attendance in Kelowna has been a constant source of conversation the past two rounds. IMO, it has less to do with fan interest and more to do with the economy. Give the players/team a break. They're putting people into the seats. It's just that $$$ is no longer cheap, and a family spending $100.00 at a game on a Tues night is no longer a throwaway luxury.

tiffany said...

You just made yourself even look worse with your comment back about how the names are supposed to be pronounced. You are telling me you have never heard Pickard pronounced about 100 times PLEASE quit acting stupid we all know you did that crap on purpose. Here is a hint - go ask Westie how to pronounce at least 10 of the AMS players names correctly!

Regan Bartel said...

Tiffany, I'll do just that.

bigkev said...

regan how did pickard gets top goalie over tokarski. tokarski better then pickard in everyway.

and the reason the americans lost is because pickard was horrible. you don't see tokarski playing as bad as pickard.

regan you should go on the whl and rockets message board and read all the crap KBF writes about u.

KBF said...

Yeah, you should Regan. Seems the only ones who disagree and oppose is Rocket fans. I speak the truth. Rocket fans don't want to hear what everyone else not in Kelowna knows.

Unknown said...

Hey Regan:

Stand tall and keep it up. Nothing more satisfying than reading comments from rattled opposing fans. Means we're onto something good!

KBF said...

Uhhh no Dave, if he wasn't a pbp guy for your beloved Rockets, you wouldn't see things that way.

Jared Comeau said...

I suppose when your teams starts playing well, nobody in the organization is safe from mud-flinging hey Regan? Keep up the good work! 4-1 Kelowna victory tonight

KBF said...

No, it's just the truth Jared. Again, when the Ams have a healthy lineup, we'll see what the Rockets are made of. In the first 2 games, it sure wasn't there. And you may be right about Pickard not being better than Tokarski, but Pickard is certainly better than Cheeseburger.

Jared Comeau said...

KBF...check you pronunciation chart...it's Guggenberger

bigkev said...

KBF, Guggenberger is better then that fruit in kamloops

And regan great PBP Guy one of the best i heard

kurt fraser in kamloops is horribe and he knows jack about hockey

KBF said...

Kevin, lol oh man great post. See, right there showing what a blind, mindless fan you are. You attack Kirk Fraser, simply because I'm pointing out obvious flaws about the way Regan calls a game. If you read around, you'll see I'm nowhere near the only one who thinks so.

And if Regan is sucha GREAT pbp guy with so much knowledge, shouldn't he be able to pronounce majority of the opposing team's players names? Seems to me, if he were that knowledgable, it would be important to show it by learning how to do that.

But I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand Kevin. You're just a goof, who hasn't the slightest understanding about hockey, outside of the okanagan.

StolzHockey said...

Ahh, nothing better than coming home from another victory to see KBF and a bunch of bitter Tri-City fans making themselves look like jack asses.

I'm surprised Regan is so lenient. I would have banned your stupid ass long ago. You're nothing but a worthless troll who cheers for a shitty fucking team.

Go back to your dead end job stocking "24 rolls of Charmaine toilet paper". Maybe you should learn how to spell Charmin before you critisize Regan, dip shit.

hockeygirl said...

KBF, just throwing this out there but it seems like you sit on your computer all day and want to cause negativity over any thing to do with the rockets (that being Regan, the players, the fans, the coaches etc). What would you do if your team traded your top defencemen for one of our top forwards next year, would you cheer against them, or would you cheer for them?

These guys are all teenagers and there playing for the love of the game, just like we are cheering for our home team, or whoever it may be because we as fans love the game.

You obviously have a great dislike for the Rockets, so why do you even care to come on our blog and TRY to stir things up.

There are so many ages of people that look at this blog and all your doing is showing them YOUR bad hockey impression. Ages of people, include past and current WHL players (i know this for a fact as I personally know players present and past) Rockets, and other whl teams

Jared Comeau said...

KBF...i don't want to seem like a dick or anything, but i think it's time you quit the attacks on the Rockets organization simply because we beat your team 13-0 this season.

I know another sweep to the Rockets is a bitter pill to swallow, as it would be if the tables were turned. But I guarentee you that if Kirk Fraser had a blog, NONE of us would be over there bad mouthing him. He, along with Regan, along with Andy Kemper, along with Cam Moon, are all doing what their employer tells them to do to make ends meet and to see a paycheck every fortnight.

I can almost guarentee that if Regan were to show any less emotion for the ROCKET fans listening to the game, his employer would sit him down and say "Hey...Listen...The Rockets' fans want to hear you get excited over the team your covering"... not "Hey...we had a Kamloops fan complain about your enthusiasim, can you just...you know...tone it down to cater to out of town folks listening" NO...why? Internet broadcasts don't count for ratings, it's how many people are tuned in on their physical radio. Last time i checked, 1150AM was not accessable from Kamloops.

Sure, some names are tough to pronunciate and can be mis-pronunciated multiple times even AFTER you learn how to do it properly. Try and say "schwartzenegger" in a PBP capacity, It just wont come out as it should when in a possible goal situation.

All i'm saying KBF is take the loss, swallow the pill and go hit the links...the weather is beautiful, and the golf is amazing, the rest of the WHL fans will all be joining you soon enough my friend.

Jeff said...

Some of you come here and ridicule Regan like if any of you know how to do pbp, or have done any Public Address work, while none of you could pbp your way out of a wet paper bag. I've not done pbp before, minus when I was younger playing hockey with my friends I'd sometimes "call the action". I do do Public Address and I can remember one instance a kid's last name was spelt Jacques and it turns out it was pronounced Jacks, go figure.

Jeff said...

And if we're gonna rank top 5 PBP guys. In no order I'm going with:

Bob Ridley
Cam Moon
Regan Bartel
Brad Curle
Jon Keen

Rcktlauncher said...

Hey KBF.....You need to get laid...get off the key board and breathe......

KBF said...

Jared, lol that was actually a really good post. This time, you got me.