Sunday, February 9, 2014

Power outage on power play instrumental in home loss

  • Over the course of a 60 minute game, several factors play a role in a win or a loss. In the Kelowna Rockets 6-4 setback to the Victoria Royals last night, it would be safe to say the lack of production on the power play was the main difference. The Rockets' failed to cash in on eight power play chances which resulted in only their third regulation home ice loss this season. Sure, other mistakes were made but it was the power play that could have, in a worse case scenario, earned them a point against an arch nemesis.    
  • The lack of production on the power play is never a good sign. It says or shows that your skilled players aren't executing. Going 0 for 8 is proof that bad decisions are being made with the puck. Often times the more power play chances you receive and the less success you have is a momentum killer. Oddly, the power play went dry Saturday night when it had turned the corner with significant success in the last four games.     
  • I say the Royals are the Rockets arch nemesis because the boys from the Island play them tough. The Royals are 2-0-0-1 in Kelowna this season while the Rockets were 3-1-0-0 in Victoria. Face it, the road teams in this seasonal series have had success not the home teams. The road team is 5-1-0-1 in the first seven games with the final regular season meeting in early March at Prospera Place.
  • The third period, for whatever reason has been an Achilles heel for the team. In three of their last five home games the Rockets' have surrendered three-third period goals. Spokane, Red Deer and now Victoria have lit the lamp three times in the final frame.
  • Is it mental fatigue or a lack of composure that is costing the team games right now? For whatever reason the Rockets are playing tentative and the opposition is sensing a chance to pounce on them. The Royals fired an uncanny 21 shots on net in the third period alone. Earlier this season it would be tough for some teams to manufacture that many against the Rockets in an entire game.
  • When your best players are struggling it makes an impact. Madison Bowey has points in only one of his last eight games and is a -6. Bowey is a 15 goal man but is finding it tough going in the offensive zone. The 18 year-old had 11 goals in his first 21 games. In his last 21 games, Bowey has found the net just four times. The tougher schedule with more games and less rest may be a contributing factor in the significant lack of production. I am not picking on him, but just showing how one of the teams best players isn't finding the score sheet like he did early. And honestly, with any player that is going to happen over the course of a 72 game schedule.    
  • Rookie Dalton Yorke earned his first career point with an assist   
  • The Rockets are 2-1-0-2 in their last five home games.  
  • Up next the Rockets host the Seattle Thunderbirds in a Monday matinee game at 2:05.

1 comment:

g.k said...

The Rockets have had no chemistry since Franko was traded!! Just saying!