Did the Chilliwack Bruins really win and other stuff

• The overtime playoff game last night marked the fifth time the Rockets and Tips have had to decide a game in the extra session. The Rockets are now 1 and 4 in overtime playoff games against the Tips. Daniel Iwanski (2010), Bryan Nathe (2004), John Dahl (2004) and Jeff Schmidt (2004) have scored overtime goals for Everett. Rockets forward Troy Bodie (2006) has scored the lone playoff overtime goal against the Tips.
• Since 2000, the Rockets have been involved in five overtime playoff games that have been decided in the second overtime. The two longest games were in 2003 when goals were scored at the 18:25 mark of the second OT. One of those goals was scored by current Rockets assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert, who responded at 18:25 of the second overtime in a win over Vancouver. The Rockets fired 67 shots on goal that night.
• In that overtime win over Everett in 2006, the Rockets had seven players that would eventually play in the NHL. Kyle Cumiskey, Mike Card, Alex Edler, Luke Schenn, Cody Almond, Troy Bodie, Blake Comeau have all played an NHL game since graduating from the WHL.
• The Rockets were 2-1-1-0 in game-two’s in last years playoffs. The Rockets were a 5-1 winner against Kamloops in round one, fell 3-2 to Tri City in round two, fell 4-3 in overtime to Vancouver in round three and beat Calgary 5-2 in game two of the WHL final.
• Was it just me, or was the shot clock counter at the Comcast Arena a little trigger happy last night? It didn't feel like the Rockets gave up that many shots. It didn't feel like a 51 shot game to me.
• How many faceoff's did the Tips win last night? The statistic must have been staggering.
• While having a late night snack in downtown Everett last night, a gentleman approached me and said, "Love the blog, but I'm glad we won". I was just flattered that the Tips fan would come by, shake my hand and tell me that he spends a small part of his day reading Regan's Rant.
• Last night's overtime win received front page coverage in the Everett Herald sports section. I picked up a copy in the early morning hours as it had already hit news stands just 3 hours after game time. Amazing. Because of the length of the game, 2 hours and 50 minutes, sports writers were scrambling to get their article into the paper before deadline. The fact that the game didn't start until 7:35 didn't help the cause.
• Can I pick a favourite Everett Silvertip? It would have to be Kellan Tochkin. We talked before game one and the kid is extremely personable. On top of that, he's a great interview. Tochkin is relaxed, confident and expands on his answers. He is a top five interview when it comes to players. The Rockets best player interview is defenceman Tyson Barrie.
• Jim Riley is providing a game story for the Seattle Times, so the series is getting some play in the 'big' newspaper. Mind you, the story is on page 8, but hey, it's in there.
• Speaking of the Seattle Times, Chilliwack Bruins head coach Marc Habscheid would be pleased for just a moment when he looked at the WHL scores at the back of the sports section. It proclaims the Chilliwack Bruins beat the Tri City Americans 4-2. The score was obviously published in error. Errors, who makes errors? It's the story of my life.
• Director of Officiating Kevin Muench took in last night's game. Muench told me that the WHL has now paired down to 23 officials from 36 during the regular season. So essentially you are seeing the best of the best in the playoffs. OK, that statement was the setup for some snide comments.
• I am not sure many Kelowna fans know this, but the public address announcer at Tips games is the son of the late Dave Piland, who died of a brain tumour in 2007. Piland was the public address announcer for the Tips when they broke into the league in 2003. Piland died essentially from the same form of cancer as my mother Lil, who passed away in 2008. Piland's son Greg has taken over the public address announcing duties and does a spot on imitation of his dad's voice. In essence, when Greg announces the goals, his dad comes alive. Pretty cool in my mind. Here is a picture of the late Dave Piland.