Friday, February 25, 2011

Almost a year to the day since road shutout

  • Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has single handily won games for the Red Rebels this season. On Friday night Adam Brown did the same for the Kelowna Rockets in a 1-0 road win. Brown, the games first star, made 27 saves in the shutout as the Rockets moved four points up on Vancouver for first place in the BC Division.
  • Brown was spectacular, making several solid stops, including a first period breakaway when the Rockets were on the power play. Brown made a serious second period stop on Rebels forward Byron Froese when two Rockets defenceman collided at the blue-line. Froese was again stoned by Brown from in-close late in the third period. It was Brown's 10th career shutout.
  • Geordie Wudrick's one timer from the high slot was the only goal of the game. Line-mate Colton Sissons beat a Rebel defenceman to the puck against the boards and quickly backhanded a pass that Wudrick one-timed into the back of the net. It was the 20 year-old's 34th goal of the season, one shy of his career best of 35 set with the Swift Current Broncos.
  • You don't see him mentioned much on this blog but defenceman MacKenzie Johnston did a nice job against Rebels leading scorer Ryan Nugent Hopkins. Taking body against the skilled forward is a must and Johnston did just that.
  • It was only the second time this season the Rebels have been shut out at home. The other team outside to accomplish the feat? The Kamloops Blazers.
  • It was the Rockets first road shutout since a 4-0 win in Edmonton back on February 26/2010. Adam Brown made 24 saves on the night.
  • The Rockets have now matched their win total from all of last season when they won 35 games in 2009-2010.
  • The horrid schedule of February comes to an end Saturday night when the Rockets face the Calgary Hitmen. That will be the completion of 13 games in 24 days.
  • Following the game we ate at Montana’s where the players gag has someone unexpectedly wearing the moose horns as staff members are fooled into thinking it is the unsuspecting victims birthday. On Friday night I was officially given the moose horns, which I wore with pride as the players had a good chuckle. I will gladly wear those things if it means a Rockets victory.
  • I met Zak Stebner’s family at the restaurant afterwards. It was nice to meet Ward Stebner (Zak’s father) face-to-face for the first time this season. We’ve exchanged e-mails, so it was nice to finally meet.

6 comments:

Jared Comeau said...

Regan, I watched the highlight package of the game on the Red Deer Rebels website and I think it is fair to say that;

A. Adam Brown is most likely the best goaltender to wear Rockets colors since Kelly Guard

B. Mackenzie Johnston, with getting the experience he is getting in his 16 year old season against the likes of Nugent-Hopkins is most likely going to be our next big deal defenseman and follow in the footsteps of the plethera of Rockets Alumni currently patrolling the blue line in the NHL.

Thoughts?

Unknown said...

hey jared

i agree with you on the brown comment, he is the best since guard. johnston is good but i like severson better. plus minus is good and he is getting power play time. with the two guys coming in next, lees and bowey, we look great at d for years. the guy i lam really liking right now is sissons. not flashy, but solid and great , does the little things right, and does not look out of place playing with the 20 yr olds. in fact at times i think that line only goes because of sissons. great plus minus, im thinking mature beyond years, just by the way he carries himself. maybe captain in two yrs?

acco said...

The Rockets are loaded with young prospects on defense with Severson, Johnston, Jesse Lees and Madison Bowey.

3stuges said...

Nice call last nite Regan.......that 3rd period was amazing.

No wonder why Bruce wants to get the Memorial Cup back for 2013....going to have a killer team.

Have to agree with A&B..........

How about Wudrick.......showing his worth as a 20 yr old down the stretch!

3stuges said...

What a third peroid......didn't think they had enough gas left in the tank!!

Great team effort.....another great call Regan!!!

Glad to hear Wudrick getting the winning goal as he missed that late 3rd period chance to win it.

acco said...

Got to agree with Jeff. Sissons is going to be big! As much as i liked Gogol as a shit-disturber, what a steal that trade is turning out to be. Sissons is very impressive!