Saturday, January 29, 2011

Feeling good in first place

  • The Kelowna Rockets entered the month of January with a thud following a 5-2 loss to the Spokane Chiefs and then exited it Saturday night with ecstasy after a 7-3 win over the Vancouver Giants. Geordie Wudrick had three goals as the Rockets scored five times in the third period for their 29th win of the season. The victory moves the Rockets into first place in the BC Division, one point up on Vancouver with two games in hand.
  • It was Wudrick's third-three goal game this season. The 20 year-old also had three goal games against Chilliwack and Regina. All three hat tricks have come on home ice.
  • Both teams were tentative in the opening period with little in the way of offense. The Rockets came alive and took over the play in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts with two quick goals from Brett Bulmer and Geordie Wudrick. Despite the onslaught, the Giants wouldn't go down easy after scoring a late goal to make it a one goal game going into the third period.
  • The Giants found themselves in late second period penalty trouble which allowed the Rockets to enjoy a 5 on 3 to start the third period. Mitchell Callahan scored to give the Rockets a 3-1 lead, and while it wasn't the decisive goal, it went a long way in not allowing the Giants any momentum to get back in the game.
  • This game featured a few soft goals. Wudrick's hat trick goal appears to go off of teammate Cody Chikie before making its way short side on Giants goaltender Mark Segal. Adam Brown also has the puck go off his shoulder and past him on a weak back hand from Giants forward Greg Lamoureux.
  • Jesse Astles deserves a pat on the back for his knock-out punch on Giants forward Connor Redmond. Astles sends the 17 year-old to the ice with a solid right in a third period scrap.
  • Zach Franko had a goal and an assist, extending his point streak to 13 games.
  • After a tightly called game against Prince George, it was anything but against the Giants a night later. The two officials allowed the team's to decide the outcome. This game wasn't dirty and wasn't overly chippy, so Trevor Hanson and
    Jon Stephenson didn't have to officiate it with an iron fist. I will admit I was a little surprised that Giants forward Michael Burns was not credited with a penalty shot after being hauled down on a third period breakaway.
  • The NHL All-Star break allowed former Rockets alumnus Cody Almond and Brandon McMillan to take in Saturday's game.
  • Former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock also watched the game in the press box.
  • Thanks to Kevin Parnell for helping me out in a colour analyst role as Gord McGarva sat the weekend out with illness.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Chikie chimes in with four points in Rockets win


  • Have you ever had a house party where one of your guests seemed to ruin the entire thing? He or she is overly opinionated, won't shut up and likely had too much to drink. Whatever the circumstances, the rest of your guests are turned off by this one person and their very presence ruins a completely good time. Enter referee's Andy Thiessen and Jeff Ingram to last night's home game between the Kelowna Rockets and Prince George Cougars. Neither had any feel for the game in the Rockets lopsided 7-3 win. Sure the contest featured 122 minutes in penalties, but don't be fooled into thinking this was a slug fest between two division rivals. Looking at the lopsided score you would think the Cougars were the worst thing on the ice surface. Sadly, they weren't. If the objective was to create no flow, the officials did a terrific job.
  • In the first two periods, the longest stretch of play without one penalty being called was 6 minutes and 41 seconds. That was the start of the opening face-off until Brett Connolly was given a hooking minor.
  • The Rockets had a 3-0 lead with the game just over 6 minutes old. But despite the solid start, the Cougars found themselves down just 3-1 at the first intermission. The visitors didn't close up shop until Evan Bloodoff scored late in the second period to give the Rockets a 5-2 lead.
  • Cody Chikie led the way with a goal and three assists. The four point night was a career high for the 19 year-old. Chikie was named the games first star.
  • Colton Sissons, Tyson Barrie and Andreas Stene each had two point nights.
  • For a second straight game against the Rockets, Cougars head coach Dean Clark had to change his goaltenders. Starter James Priestner was pulled after surrendering four goals on 12 shots. Clark tried to stay with his veteran goaltender, but as the saying goes, "make a save'". Clark had no choice but to yank Priestner after Kevin Smith scored a soft goal to make it a 4-2 game.
  • Smith's goal was his first in 15 games.
  • The Cougars had reason to complain after they were denied twice by what appeared to be goals on scrambles in front of Rockets goaltender Adam Brown. I am not sure about the ruling that Brown was pushed into the net after making a save from in tight. Cougars head coach Dean Clark could have come unglued several times but showed the patience of Job.
  • The Rockets were 0 for 10 on the power play and gave up a shorthanded goal.
  • Where was Brett Connolly? The Cougars leading goal scorer had a rough night. Connolly was off his game taking three minor penalties. I could be mistaken, but I can't remember him getting a shot on goal.
  • Rockets forward Zach Franko extended his point streak to 12 games with a goal 4 minutes into the third.
  • The Rockets have now won five straight, one off the Rockets season high of six straight wins to start off the month of November.
  • Mitchell Chapman and Geordie Wudrick were both +4. Chapman now leads the team with a +17.
  • During the five game winning streak the Rockets have out-scored the opposition 28-14.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Game notes vs. Cougars

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets face the Prince George Cougars in the 7th meeting of the season between the two teams. The Rockets are 5-1-0-0, with their lone loss coming back on September 25th in a 6-2 setback. These two teams met back on January 19th with the Rockets recorded a 6-2 win. These two teams will face each other twice next weekend in Prince George. Overall the Rockets have out-scored their BC Division rivals 24-14. Tonight’s game is the start of seven straight games against teams in the BC Division. The Rockets host Vancouver tomorrow night before welcoming Chilliwack Wednesday night. Overall the Rockets have won four straight.

Rockets recent game: Zach Franko scored twice leading the Rockets to a 4-3 win over the Tri City Americans Sunday night. Jesse Astles and MacKenzie Johnston added singles in the team’s 27th win of the season. Jordon Cooke earned the win in goal. The Rockets were 0 for 3 on the power play and didn’t allow a goal on four Americans chances. The Tri Cities out-shot the Rockets 33-15.

Who’s Hot: Zach Franko is riding a team high eleven game point streak, Franko has 7+8=15 over that period…Shane McColgan has points in 11 of his last 13 games….Mitchell Callahan has 7+10=17 in his last nineteen games…Brett Bulmer has a seven game point streak (3+8=11). Geordie Wudrick has six goals in the month of January. In November he had 11.

This and That: Zach Franko’s eleven game point streak is third longest active point streak in the WHL this season…..The Rockets are seven games above the .500 mark for the first time this season….Last season the Rockets had 19 wins after 47 games….Shane McColgan leads the Rockets in road points with 20. McColgan is followed by Brett Bulmer (19) and Zach Franko (16)….Franko has seven goals in January after scoring just once in December…..The Rockets are riding a four game winning streak heading into tonight’s game. The Rockets won six in a row to start the month of November. The six game winning streak started November 2nd against Prince George…The Rockets have allowed the third fewest goals against in the Western Conference (136). Only Spokane (109) and Tri City (133) have allowed fewer goals against….The Rockets have lost just ten times in their last 33 games. The Rockets lost ten times in their first 14 games to start the season….Tyson Barrie leads the team in multiple point games with twelve.…Jason Siebert is missing his 23rd straight games after undergoing surgery on his wrist….Adam Brown is third all-time on the Kelowna Rockets list of games played by a goalie. Brown has played 128 games, 1 fewer than second place Kristofer Westblom. The franchise leader is Kevin Swanson with 167 games played… The Rockets are 11 for 67 on the power play in their last nine games (16.4%)…The Rockets have allowed the fewest goals against on the road in the WHL this season (63)….The Rockets have scored 33 more goals at home than on the road. The Rockets have played 24 games at home and 23 times on opposition ice…The Rockets are the only team in the WHL this season that have not lost in overtime or the shoot-out…The Rockets have been involved in sixteen one goal games this season. The Rockets are 11-5-0-0 in those sixteen one goal games…Adam Brown has started thirty-two of the last 37 games…The Rockets franchise played in its 1400th regular season game December 14th in Medicine Hat. The team has 724 regular season wins….The Rockets were 8 and 10 in 18 games this season without Tyson Barrie in the lineup. Barrie missed seven games at the start of the season with a hip injury and eleven games as a member of Team Canada… Brett Bulmer has four more goal than all of last season….Only four players have played in all 47 regular season games this season. They are Zach Franko, Kevin Smith, Evan Bloodoff and Spencer Main…The Rockets are 8-5-0-0 in thirteen games since returning from the Christmas break…The Rockets have scored 6 or more goals on home ice seven times this season…The Rockets have been afforded the most power play chances in the WHL this season. The Rockets have enjoyed 263 power play opportunities. Kamloops is next on that list with 258 chances….Defenceman Zak Stebner played in his 250th career WHL game last Friday against the T-Birds…The six goals the Rockets scored on the road against the T-Birds last Friday was a season high…Ryan Huska coached in his 250th career WHL regular season game last Friday in Seattle…Geordie Wudrick will play in his 325th career WHL game tonight…Zach Franko is the highest scoring 17 year-old rookie in the WHL….Shane McColgan leads the team with 19 power play assists…Geordie Wudrick leads the team in power play goals with nine..Last season the Rockets won just five of 21 games against U.S Division teams. This season they have 9 wins in sixteen meetings.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

By the numbers...

1: The number of goals Zach Franko had in December. The 17 year-old has seven in 11 games this month.

4: The number of additional goals Brett Bulmer has scored after lighting the lamp 13 times in his rookie season.

6: The number of Rockets with ten or more goals this season. Last season the team had ten players with ten or more goals.

10: The number of games the Rockets lost in the first five weeks of the season. Since the start of November the Rockets have lost just 10 times in their last 33 games. That's a winning percentage of .767. By comparison, Portland has lost 13 times and have suffered a shoot-out loss since the start of November.

13: The number of games the Rockets have remaining on the road.

14: The number of games between fighting majors for Mitchell Callahan.

19: The number of wins the Rockets had at this point last season. The team has accumulated 8 more wins this season.

20: The number of points Shane McColgan has recorded on the road this season. The 17 year-old has the most points of any Rocket on opposition ice. Brett Bulmer has 19 while Zach Franko has 16.

23: The differential between the number of goals the Rockets have scored this season and the number they have allowed. The +23 is the best in the BC Division. Spokane is a +75, Tri City is a +57 while Portland is a +33.

325: The number of games Kelowna Rockets forward Geordie Wudrick will have played when he faces Prince George on Friday night.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Things that make go hmm...

  • I came away impressed after speaking Saturday night with Spokane Chiefs forward Tyler Johnson. OK, the fact that he knew me by name gave him bonus points, but what a quality individual. The interview I conducted with the personable Johnson can be heard on 'WHL This Week-Radio Edition' this weekend with Jon Keen.
  • I am amazed that Johnson is playing his 20 year-old season in the WHL. This guy should be playing pro somewhere. Johnson is as solid in the defensive zone as he is at the other end of the ice. Is he not the best overage player in the Western Conference?
  • Thanks to the Chiefs, specifically Public Relation and Marketing Director Jay Stewart for his efforts in helping me get out of a jam in the broadcast booth Saturday night. Phone line issues in the building prevented us from calling the opening period. The Chiefs organization could have taken a 'to bad, so sad' approach over my dilemma, but took the time to help me out under somewhat stressful circumstances.
  • After what happened Saturday night, I have a better appreciation for what an athlete feels if his routine is interrupted. It was tough getting back on track when the interview's you conducted and pre-game prep is all for not. Trying to pick up the ball and run with it after not witnessing the first period was tough to do.
  • I've always heard of the tremendous rivalry the Spokane Chiefs have with the Tri City Americans, but now I know why. I knew the two centers were close in proximity, but not that close. After our game in Spokane, we drove to Kennewick that night, which is just a short two hours away.
  • After three straight games south of the border, you really get to appreciate the passion of the American hockey fan. You don't find to many dead heads in the crowd. It's like they love to party and will take every opportunity to enjoy themselves, and if a hockey game is the place to do it, so be it. You can't but appreciate that unbridled enthusiasm.
  • Annie Fowler of the Tri City Herald handed me an envelope before Sunday's game meaning one thing. The Tri City Herald 'Best of the West' poll is now being conducted. Fowler goes to great lengths to make sure every team has a say on the poll, which is a nice cross section between the media, players and coaches. It's nice to see in a time of slashing features and coverage, the Tri City Herald is still taking the time to conduct the survey. For Fowler, the poll is likely a labour of love. The poll comes out in February.
  • The opposition player that impressed me the most over the three days was Americans forward Carter Ashton. I was told after the game that he can play better. Look out! This guy is a stud. Unfortunately because he played in Lethbridge and Regina, I never got to appreciate him as much when he was playing out east.
  • The most disappointing opposition player over the three games? Burke Gallimore of the Seattle Thunderbirds was flat Friday night. The T-Birds leading scorer looked so uninspired and lethargic, I could only assume he was sick or hurt. If it is neither, lets hope for the T-Birds sake it was just a poor showing.
  • Prior to this weekend, when was the last time the Rockets won all three games on the road during a stretch of three games in three nights? It was February 21st, 22nd and 23rd of 2009 when the Rockets beat Vancouver, Everett and Chilliwack.
  • Zach Franko now has the third longest active point streak in the WHL. His 11 game stretch with at least a point is only outdone by Tri City Americans Brendan Shinnimin (17 games) and Spokane's Tyler Johnson (14 games).
  • In case you are wondering, the longest point streak by a Rockets player last season was 21 straight games. Tyson Barrie had the longest streak in the WHL last season.
  • The longest point streak in Rockets franchise history is held by Brett McLean. McLean went 24 straight games with a point.
  • Speaking of Brendan Shinnimin. Had he not been suspended for 12 games this season, would he not be leading the WHL points parade? I gave him a hard time earlier this season, but no question he is a dynamic player.
  • MacKenzie Johnston scored his first WHL goal Sunday in Tri City and who was in attendance to witness it? His dad Stan. Following the game, MacKenzie handed the puck over to his dad who brought it back home to Swift Current. A proud moment for the Johnston's know doubt. Stan came up to the broadcast booth to say hello before the puck dropped Sunday afternoon.
  • Mike Callahan, the father of Rockets forward Mitchell Callahan, and his lovely wife attended all three games on the weekend and you couldn't help but notice that permanent smile on his face. He has to be one proud papa!
  • Rockets goaltender Adam Brown informed me after Friday's win in Seattle that the team indeed won a game earlier this season wearing their red jersey. So, after three straight victories this weekend you can now make it four wins in the jersey I like the most.
  • Coach Ryan Huska coached in his 250th WHL regular season game Friday in Seattle.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Gutsy effort, great weekend

  • Opportunity knocked Sunday night and the Kelowna Rockets answered the door. The Rockets, playing their 4th game in five nights, used two goals from Zach Franko in a 4-3 win over the Tri City Americans. One of Franko's two goals came on a rare two-on-none breakaway with line-mate Mitchell Callahan. MacKenzie Johnston, with his first career goal in 89 games, and Jesse Astles also scored, snapping the Americans 13 game home ice winning streak.
  • The Americans are usually opportunistic, but it was the Rockets that did a better job of capitalising on their opponents miscues. As mentioned, to see Franko and Callahan skating up ice on a breakaway with no American defenders in sight doesn't happen often. If you combine that gaffe with an off night from Tri City goaltender Drew Owsley, the Rockets were in a good position to beat the Americans at the Toyota Center for the first time since 2006.
  • Jordon Cooke received the start in goal against the Americans and again proved he is more than a capable backup. Cooke wasn't required to make any highlight reel saves, but the Americans spent a significant amount of time buzzing inside the Rockets zone. Cooke also received some help from a cross bar when the Americans were trying to get back into the game on an extended 5 on 3.
  • That 5 on 3 penalty kill was likely the turning point. The Rockets are leading 3-2 late in the second period before Jesse Astles is called for charging and then moments later Mitchell Chapman receives a high sticking minor. The Rockets kill off the 1:51 two man advantage and go into the second intermission up by a goal.
  • Another sign of a tough night for the Americans was when Adam Hughesman is standing all alone in front of the Rockets net and shoots the puck off the post with Cooke at his mercy. That missed chance came in a one goal game and was just another sign that this wouldn't be the Americans night.
  • I was really impressed by Carter Ashton. The Americans forward scored twice and showed no hesitation in shooting the puck. Rockets d-man Tyson Barrie didn't register a point in last night's win, but his main role was playing against Ashton on the Americans top line.
  • Zach Franko now has an 11 game point streak. Franko has 6 goals in six games and has 7 goals and 8 assists in the month of January.
  • Line mate Brett Bulmer has a seven game point streak. Bulmer has 3+8=11 over that stretch. Bulmer has 12 points in January.
  • The coaching staff elected to put Franko on a line with Mitchell Callahan and Brett Bulmer. Forward Shane McColgan was bumped off that line.
  • The number 13 played a prominent role in last night's game. The Rockets snapped the Americans home ice winning streak at 13 games. The Rockets handed the Americans their 13th loss of the season and the Rockets won for the 13th time on the road this season. I can't take credit for that observation. Americans broadcaster Craig West gets credit for pointing that out.
  • Pat Smith was the lone referee Sunday night and once again he had a solid outing. Smith wasn't a factor in the game and simply let the two teams play. Good communication skills with the players and a non-cocky approach made him look like the veteran official that he is. What I liked most about Smith was his ability to communicate with the player who thought a penalty should be called. Smith has a quick word with him on why a call wasn't made and quickly skates back up the ice.
  • A blue collar crowd attends Americans home games and the atmosphere in the building is second to none. They are a loud bunch and I love how they all stand on their feet in the final minute of the game as their team attempts to score the equalizing goal. Can you imagine if Rockets PA Announcer Bill Barnes yelled out over the sound system, "Get on your feet and help out your team". It wouldn't happen. In Tri City it works and you have to applaud the fans for getting behind their team.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Beating the big dog


Adam Brown.
Thank you!
The Kelowna Rockets goaltender literally stole two points out of Spokane Saturday night in a 5-3 win over the Chiefs. Brown was the best player on the ice - again - in the teams 26th win of the season. Brown made several solid stops while Brett Bulmer scored twice. Shane McColgan, Colton Heffley and Geordie Wudrick - into an empty net - helped the Rockets to their second win of the season in Spokane. It was the Chiefs 4th regulation loss at home this season.

  • The Rockets were down 2-1 after the opening period despite being out-shot 17-3. The two teams were tied at three after 40 minutes after the Rockets killed off three consecutive power play chances by the Chiefs, including a short lived 5 on 3.
  • Jesse Astles again held his own in a fight with WHL penalty minutes leader Darren Kramer. The two squared off at center ice in the second period and traded a few punches before giving each other the thumbs up in the penalty box. It was Kramer's 30th fighting major of the season.
  • Zach Franko collected two assists extending his point streak to ten games.
  • The Rockets have scored 17 goals in their last three games while surrendering just eight.
  • The Rockets will try to win three straight games on the road Sunday night against the Tri City Americans. The last time they accomplished that feat was November 19th, 20th and 27th in an overtime win in Spokane.
  • Unfortunately we were unable to broadcast the first period after some technical issues at the Spokane Arena. After getting things finally sorted out, we caught the final 40 minutes of the game.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Rockets snap two game road losing streak

  • Zach Franko and Tyson Barrie each scored twice leading the Rockets to a 6-3 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds Friday night. The win, the Rockets 25th of the season, snapped a two game road losing streak. The Rockets remain one point back of Vancouver for first place in the BC Division heading into Saturday's game in Spokane.
  • A relentless fore check was one of the keys in the victory. The Rockets spent a significant amount of time in the T-Birds zone and ultimately exposed Seattle's defensive core. Mitchell Callahan got it started with his strong physical play and then others followed. Evan Bloodoff's late second period goal was a perfect example of the Rockets desire to win pucks. Line-mate Colton Sissons out-muscles at T-Birds defender in the corner, passes it out to Bloodoff, who fires his 11th past Seattle goaltender Calvin Pickard.
  • Zach Franko is in a zone. The 17 year-old scored two power play goals, extending his point streak to a team high nine games. Franko now has four goals in his last four games after two goals against Portland and two against the T-Birds.
  • It may have been done before, but I've never seen it until now. Rockets defenceman Tyson Barrie scores two late shorthanded goals into an empty net. The T-Birds, trailing by one late in the game, have a power play and a face-off deep inside the Rockets zone. Despite having just four defenders on the ice, Barrie finds the puck on his stick at the bottom half of the face-off circle and fires it the entire length of the ice and into the net, making it a 5-3 score. Then, with the goaltender pulled off the face-off at centre ice, Barrie again gets the puck on his stick just inside the Rockets blue line and does the same thing. That's two shorthanded goals in 51 seconds. Amazing.
  • In case you are wondering , those two shorthanded goals in 51 seconds is no where close to a WHL record. The record for back-to-back shorthanded goals is 6 seconds. And its happened twice, in 1981 and again in 1987.
  • On November 18, 1997, Rockets forward Brett McLean scored three shorthanded goals in a 5-4 win over Regina.
  • The ShoWare Center came alive Friday night. The atmosphere was excellent as the fans enjoyed every aspect of the game. It was a great atmosphere as the T-Birds delivered a good product beyond the game itself. Everyone in my section was having fun, which goes a long way to those patrons returning in the future.
  • The Rockets wore their third jersey last night against the T-Birds. It was the first time this season they have won wearing those uniforms.
  • The team headed out for Spokane following the game and arrived here at around 3:30 am. The roads were excellent, and outside of some heavy rain at times, the sky was clear. If you are traveling late at night, the conditions couldn't have been any better for late January.
  • The Rockets play the Chiefs tonight in a building they have won in before. The Rockets were a 3-2 overtime winner back on November 29th. Geordie Wudrick scored the game winner.

Welcome to Kent

  • A cloudy, rainy day in Kent as the Rockets' prepare to open a U.S Division road trip tonight against the Seattle Thunderbirds. The T-Birds have made a few changes since we saw them a couple of weeks ago. Mitch Spooner was acquired from Regina while picking up d-man Ryan Botton from the Prince Albert Raiders. It was a clear indication the T-Birds were not happy with their blue line.
  • The T-Birds have four players on NHL Central Scouting's list of the top players eligible for this upcoming draft. What is amazing is three of them are ahead of Rockets forward Shane McColgan.
  • The Rockets should get some quality scoring chances tonight against the T-Birds. Seattle goaltender Calvin Pickard see's a lot of pucks. Pickard has made the most saves of any goaltender in the WHL. While Pickard has played five more games than Rockets number one goaltender Adam Brown, Pickard has made 576 more saves.
  • T-Birds forward Burke Gallimore is tied for the league lead in power play goals with 16. Gallimore has been great in January with six goals and 14 points.
  • Does 17 year-old Rockets forward Jesse Astles fight T-Birds tough guy Jake Doty tonight? Doty has 19 fighting majors this season. It could be a busy weekend for Astles, who faces Spokane's Darren Kramer tomorrow night. Kramer is the WHL penalty minutes leader.
  • We are on the air at 7:05 tonight from the ShoWare Center. Colour analyst Gord McGarva is on the trip and will speak with Rockets athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn in the first intermission.

Rockets game notes vs. T-Birds

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets face the Seattle Thunderbirds for the second time in two weeks at the ShoWare Centre. The T-Birds beat the Rockets 3-1 back on January 7th. These two team’s opened the seasonal series back on December 1st with the Rockets earning a 3-2 victory. The Rockets host the T-Birds March 16th. This is the first of three games in three nights. The Rockets are in Spokane Saturday before tangling with the Tri City Americans on Sunday. The Rockets then return home to host the Prince George Cougars Friday January 28th.

Rockets recent game: Cody Chikie scored twice while Spencer Main had a career high four assists leading the Rockets to a 6-2 win Wednesday night over the Prince George Cougars. The Rockets had a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes and a 4-1 advantage after two periods. The Rockets were 2 for 7 on the power play. Adam Brown earned the win in goal, making 30 saves. Mitchell Callahan, Tyson Barrie and Andreas Stene had two point games.

Who’s Hot: Zach Franko is riding a team high eight game point streak, Franko has 3+6=9 over that period…Shane McColgan has 7+7=14 in his last ten games. McColgan has goals in five of his last nine games…Mitchell Callahan has 7+8=15 in his last sixteen games…Brett Bulmer has 5+11=16 in his last twelve games. Tyson Barrie is riding a four game point streak. Barrie has 2+7=9 over that period… Geordie Wudrick has nine goals in his last eleven games.

Who’s Not: Max Adolph has no goals in his last 25 games. Kevin Smith has one goal in his last 27 games.

This and That: Seventeen of Geordie Wudrick’s 24 goals (70.8%) have been scored on home ice… Zach Franko’s eight game point streak is one better than Shane McColgan and Tyson Barrie, who had seven game point streaks earlier this season…..The Rockets have allowed the second fewest goals against in the Western Conference this season (126). The Tri City Americans have allowed 125 goals against. Overall the Rockets have allowed the fifth fewest goals against in the WHL. Only Red Deer (102), Spokane (116), Medicine Hat (122) and Tri City (125) have allowed fewer…Mitchell Callahan and Tyson Barrie are tied for the team lead in multiple point games with eleven. Brett Bulmer has nine multiple point games…Jason Siebert is missing his 20th straight games after undergoing surgery on his wrist….Adam Brown is third all-time on the Kelowna Rockets list of games played by a goalie. Brown has played 126 games, 3 fewer than second place Kristofer Westblom. The franchise leader is Kevin Swanson with 167 games played… The Rockets are 8 for 55 on the power play in their last eight games (14.5 %)…The Rockets have allowed the fewest goals against on the road in the WHL this season (54)….The Rockets have scored 48 more goals at home than on the road. The Rockets have played 24 games at home and 20 times on opposition ice…The Rockets are the only team in the WHL this season that have not lost in overtime or the shoot-out…The Rockets have been involved in fifteen-one goal games this season. The Rockets are 10-5-0-0 in those fifteen-one goal games…Adam Brown has started thirty of the last 34 games…The Rockets franchise played in its 1400th regular season game December 14th in Medicine Hat. The team has 721 regular season wins….Zak Stebner (311) is one of three Rockets with over 300 penalty minutes in their career. Mitchell Callahan (417) and Geordie Wudrick (360) are the others….The Rockets were 8 and 10 in 18 games this season without Tyson Barrie in the lineup. Barrie missed seven games at the start of the season with a hip injury and eleven games as a member of Team Canada… Second year forward Shane McColgan played in the CHL Home Hardware NHL/Top Prospects game Wednesday night in Toronto. McColgan was held off the score-sheet but participated in the fastest skater competition. McColgan is rated 102nd among WHL players for this summer’s draft. Zach Franko and Jessey Astles are also rated….Brett Bulmer has two more goal than all of last season….Mitchell Chapman leads the team in +/- with a +9…Only four players have played in all 44 regular season games this season. They are Zach Franko, Kevin Smith, Evan Bloodoff and Spencer Main…The Rockets are 5-5-0-0 in ten games since returning from the Christmas break…The Rockets have scored 6 or more goals on home ice seven times this season…The Rockets have played a league low 20 games on the road this season. Regina and Prince George have also played just twenty road games this season….The Rockets have been afforded the most power play chances in the WHL this season. The Rockets have enjoyed 251 power play opportunities. Kamloops is next on that list with 245 chances….Defenceman Zak Stebner plays in his 250th career WHL game tonight against the T-Birds.