Saturday, March 12, 2011

Brown reaches Rockets record books

  • It only seemed fitting that if Kelly Guard's record for wins in a career by a Kelowna Rockets goaltender was ever surpassed, a shutout should be part of the equation. Well, Adam Brown promptly made 33 saves for the shutout and in the process recording his 84th career win in the Rockets 1-0 triumph Saturday night over the Kamloops Blazers. Brown's 84 victories is one better than Guard's 83 wins set over two seasons. Brown now has 11 shutouts over his career while Guard still has the bragging rights for shutouts with 19.
  • This was a goaltending battle where the Blazers' Jeff Bosch was equally as good as Brown. Brown had to thank his goal posts twice as Kamloops came within inches of scoring in regulation time. Bosch ended the night with 40 saves.
  • Tyson Barrie and Geordie Wudrick were able to beat Bosch in the shootout while forward Thomas Frazee was the only Blazer to score on Brown.
  • The Blazers turned it down a notch and played a much more disciplined game. The two teams combined for just 16 minutes in penalties. The point for the Blazers was far more critical than losing their cool. After allowed four power play goals in a 5-1 loss the night before, the Blazers knew that excessive trips to the penalty box would be crippling. It almost seemed odd that the ninth and finally meeting between these two teams would be such a tame affair.
  • Playing to a scoreless tie at home after regulation and overtime rarely happens. In fact, the Rockets and Swift Current Broncos skated to a scoreless tie after 65 minutes back in October of 2006. In the shootout the Broncos would beat the Rockets 1-0.
  • Jesse Lees, the Rockets first round pick in last summers WHL Bantam Draft, made his home debut Saturday night. Lees registered his first career penalty when he was charged with a tripping penalty in the second period.
  • Mitchell Chapman sat out the game after playing as a forward in Friday's road contest in Kamloops. The Rockets want to bring the defenceman along slowly after missing 12 games with a concussion. Chapman is a good bet to play Sunday in Chilliwack.
  • Brett Bulmer joined us on the post game show where he said he is ready to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

1 comment:

jaz301 said...

What a game last night. It sure was a close one and I like those close matches. always are intense and keep you entertained throughout the game. The goalies really were the difference maker and glad both of them got stars of the game.

Brown is defiantly the best goalie we have seen since Guard. He is always making tremendous saves and keeps us in games when the players are not at their best. I really hope he makes it to the NHL or AHL.

On a side note and is not really related to rockets, but what is happening with the Giants? On a 6 game losing streak. Last week I was thinking that next Saturday's game was going to decide who gets the BC division, but guess I was wrong.