The Kelowna Rockets need to get out of their own heads. This team has gone far too long with a sub-mediocre powerplay that they are now making rookie-esque mistakes, such as making one too many passes, or not shooting when a lane opens, and closing those shooting lanes themselves by passing into ones that are clogged, and then being pressured to making a bad decision because you no longer have a passing or shooting lane.
Ryan Huska's powerplay is based on a system that puts no body in front of the goaltender, instead, moves that body to between the faceoff circles, is a smaller player, and is fed the puck from the corners and with his small size, can attempt to make something happen from there. This system has never really worked, Huska needs to take the powerplay and try something completely different. The past 5 years, the Rockets Powerplay has been ranked,
2013/14 - 10th (Current)
2012/13 - 4th
2011/12 - 10th
2010/11 - 11th
2009/10 - 8th
That is not a good powerplay average on a 5 year trend, and it's gotten to a point where I feel teams are coming into Prospera Place and know they can take liberties on this team, and get away with it. That can and will spell disaster for this team in the long run. If you're not making teams pay for taking liberties on your top players, then eventually a top 6 forward, or top 4 D-Man is going to get injured.
If the Rockets plan on going any further than the Western Conference QUARTER Finals this spring, they better figure their powerplay out, or they will find themselves scratching their collective heads on the golf course in late march wondering what in the hell just happened.
Just ask the Seattle Thunderbirds who went 0 for 27 in last years First round playoff match vs the Kelowna Rockets
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Kelowna Rockets, first team in Canadian Hockey League to win 40 games
Some teams consider a 40 win season a huge success, and is actually a stat in the record books, (Most consecutive 40 win seasons), so to say that with the victory against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the Kelowna Rockets becoming the first CHL Club to reach the 40 win benchmark in a mere 48 games is unfathomable.
There have been teams in the past that have gotten to the 40 win mark quickly, very quickly, in fact, with the 2012/13 Portland Winterhawks reaching the mark 50 games in, and prior to that, the 2008/09 Calgary Hitmen (who finished that season with a 59-9-3-1 record) reaching 40 wins in 49 games. Prior the Rockets 40 wins in 48 games, you would have to go back almost to the 1980's before you find a club who has reached this mark any quicker (educated guess, not statistically substantiated).
What I find is making this season especially impressive, is the fact that no other team in the WHL is even challenging the Rockets for the top spot in the league. The Rockets currently have a 13 point lead on the next closest team being the Portland Winterhawks, and they still have 1 game in hand on the Hawks.
The Victoria Royals continue their winning ways tonight against the Vancouver Giants, winning 3-1, trying to keep their hopes alive for catching the Kelowna Rockets for the BC Division crown. The Royals have had the Rockets number this year, handing the Rockets 3 of their 8 losses on the season. 2 in regulation and 1 in the Shootout, including 2 of the Rockets 4 losses at home this year, and the Royals have yet to lose to the Rockets at Prospera Place this year.
That being said, I'm not sure the 14 point gap between the Rockets and the Royals is fully indicative of how a 7 game series would play out against these two rivals. All I can say is that it would be a great series to watch.
There have been teams in the past that have gotten to the 40 win mark quickly, very quickly, in fact, with the 2012/13 Portland Winterhawks reaching the mark 50 games in, and prior to that, the 2008/09 Calgary Hitmen (who finished that season with a 59-9-3-1 record) reaching 40 wins in 49 games. Prior the Rockets 40 wins in 48 games, you would have to go back almost to the 1980's before you find a club who has reached this mark any quicker (educated guess, not statistically substantiated).
What I find is making this season especially impressive, is the fact that no other team in the WHL is even challenging the Rockets for the top spot in the league. The Rockets currently have a 13 point lead on the next closest team being the Portland Winterhawks, and they still have 1 game in hand on the Hawks.
* * *
The Victoria Royals continue their winning ways tonight against the Vancouver Giants, winning 3-1, trying to keep their hopes alive for catching the Kelowna Rockets for the BC Division crown. The Royals have had the Rockets number this year, handing the Rockets 3 of their 8 losses on the season. 2 in regulation and 1 in the Shootout, including 2 of the Rockets 4 losses at home this year, and the Royals have yet to lose to the Rockets at Prospera Place this year.
That being said, I'm not sure the 14 point gap between the Rockets and the Royals is fully indicative of how a 7 game series would play out against these two rivals. All I can say is that it would be a great series to watch.
* * *
Since Matthew Dumba has joined the Portland Winterhawks, the Hawks have not lost a game, winning all 4 with Dumba in the lineup. I'm not 100% sold on the fact that Dumba is the solution to the problem on the back end of the Hawks, but it definitely adds more fire power. As witnessed at the World Junior Championships, Dumba can, and will take a bad penalty when the going gets tough, and that might spell disaster for the Hawks in the playoffs if them and the Kelowna Rockets meet at any point.
It's been proven that the hawks are weak on the back end when Kelowna was in Portland back on December 31 and January 2nd. Most Hawk fans will have you believe that the team was shorthanded with their top players, but the fact is that only 1 of those players gone was a D-Man, that being Derek Pouliot. The Winterhawks needed to do more at the deadline to bolster their D-Core, and they did, but will adding Dumba and a couple players who have never played at this level be enough to handle Kelowna's relentless onslaught of 4 line hockey? I don't have the answer, nor will I speculate on that, all I can say is if Kelowna and Portland meet in the playoffs, it is going to be special.
Stay Tuned!
Monday, January 13, 2014
Fantastic Through the East
It's no secret how good the Kelowna Rockets are, and the Eastern Conference leading Calgary Hitmen found that out the hard way on Sunday Afternoon. I read this week, from one of my adversaries through the years, the best test for a team is to play a contender on the 3rd game of a 3 in 3, and how you fair, is how good your team really is. If that is the case, then the Rockets passed that test with flying colors. Not only did they play the Eastern Leading Hitmen on the 3rd game in 3 nights, but that 3rd game was an afternoon game, with a puckdrop time of 2:00PM, esentially playing their 2nd game in less than 24 hours, with bus legs to boot.
The Kelowna Rockets looked fresher than momma's pumpkin pie at thanksgiving dinner, and the Calgary Hitmen, (who had a lenghty 12 game home ice winning streak going) looked lethargic, lacksidasical and just not good. I don't know if chemistry was to blame, or lack-there-of from the recent trades the team made, but something seemed off.
The victory in the Saddledome topped off a successful central division road trip winning 3 games of the 4 they played (they did not play the Red Deer Rebels during this Central swing) and rebounding from a setback in Edmonton that led to the team losing back to back road games, which was the first occurance of that this year for the Rockets. Needless to say, the team rebounded in Lethbridge with a 5-1 Victory 2 nights later.
The victory in Lethbridge, however, was not as easy as most would have thought it to be. The #1 ranked team in the CHL taking on the worst team in the WHL was more competitive than even the experts thought it would be, for the most part. The 'Canes brought their "A" game against the Rockets and even opened the scoring in the first period before the Rockets would tie the game going into the intermission. The first period was as good a period as I'm sure the 'Bridge city had seen all year from this young, inexperienced team, and i will admit it even put this Rockets' fan on edge. Later on in the game, the Rockets would flex their muscles, however, and score 5 unanswered goals to win the game 5-1, but don't let the score fool you, the Hurricanes played a fantastic game.
The game in Medicine Hat was a true test of character for the road weary Rockets, and their fatigue showed after 1 period of play, going down 3-0 to the Tigers before the end of the first period, but as this team usually does, came out in the second period and took over the game from there. Rourke Chartier started the comeback with a goal, only 52 seconds into the 2nd stanza and the Tigers almost seemed to say to themselves "uh oh", and the giant was awoke, storming the Tigers for 4 unanswered goals before Trevor Cox would make the game interesting for the final 8 minutes of the game, but the Rockets simply set up shop at the blue line and it was all over.
The penalty kill was again, the story of the swing through the Central Division, killing off 24 of 25 penalties and continue to solidify their top penalty kill ranking at 87.7%. The penalty kill has been the true story of the season for the Kelowna Rockets. The first year the Rockets went to the Memorial Cup back in the 2003 season, the Rockets also led the league in Penalty Kill percentage, same can be said for the year the Rockets won the Memorial Cup.
Other similarities between this years Kelowna Rockets and past years of success is back in 2009, the last time the Rockets made a trip to the Memorial Cup. The top competition and other Memorial Cup contender, eventually the team's opposition in the WHL Final, were the Calgary Hitmen, who are currently, like I said earlier, on top of the Eastern Conference Standings and currently in 2nd place overall in the WHL. Another similarity to that year? Mid season the Kelowna Rockets brought in a European by the name of Mikael Backlund, who helped the team defeat the Hitmen in the WHL Finals. Enter, Marek Tvrdon, another Euro brought in mid season who has plans of helping push this team through the playoffs and earning a berth in London, Ontario, and the 2014 Memorial Cup Tournament.
Stay Tuned.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Open Letter to Zach Franko
To Zach Franko:
On last nights pregame show with Regan Bartel, you gave thanks to not only the Kelowna Rockets organization and your billets and friends, but also to the fans. Well, we, the fans, would like to take this opportunity to thank you, for absolutely everything you have done for this Kelowna Rockets organization and the community. Your smiling face, personable demeanor and downright friendliness will be missed more than you know.
From your visits to elementary schools, to your other, countless community outreaches, to your crafty play inside opposition ice, there will be no match to what you did during your time in Kelowna. It's rare, for fans to feel the pain of a traded player, as teammates, family members or close friends do, but when you are as well liked as you were, it hits harder to home for even the fans. To see a fan favorite traded in his final year, from a team with amazing chemistry and friendship is heartbreaking.
It's with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to you, Mr. Franko, but always remember, in the hearts and eyes of the fans, you are, and forever will be, a Kelowna Rocket. We look forward to seeing you at many an alumni gatherings for some golf and friendly hockey game.
The most best of luck to you Zach Franko with the Kootenay Ice and in all your future endeavors.
Sincerely;
The Kelowna Rockets Fans
On last nights pregame show with Regan Bartel, you gave thanks to not only the Kelowna Rockets organization and your billets and friends, but also to the fans. Well, we, the fans, would like to take this opportunity to thank you, for absolutely everything you have done for this Kelowna Rockets organization and the community. Your smiling face, personable demeanor and downright friendliness will be missed more than you know.
From your visits to elementary schools, to your other, countless community outreaches, to your crafty play inside opposition ice, there will be no match to what you did during your time in Kelowna. It's rare, for fans to feel the pain of a traded player, as teammates, family members or close friends do, but when you are as well liked as you were, it hits harder to home for even the fans. To see a fan favorite traded in his final year, from a team with amazing chemistry and friendship is heartbreaking.
It's with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to you, Mr. Franko, but always remember, in the hearts and eyes of the fans, you are, and forever will be, a Kelowna Rocket. We look forward to seeing you at many an alumni gatherings for some golf and friendly hockey game.
The most best of luck to you Zach Franko with the Kootenay Ice and in all your future endeavors.
Sincerely;
The Kelowna Rockets Fans
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Kelowna Rockets Alumni are Sochi Bound
Today, Hockey Canada announced Team Canada's roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia. There are the usual suspects on that squad, including Rick Nash, Sidney Crosby and Roberto Luongo, but if you look closer at the Roster, you will see three names on this roster, that have also graced the roster of the Kelowna Rockets at one point.
Shea Weber was a lock for team Canada. He will be the #1 Defenceman on Team Canada and QBing the #1 Powerplay. If you remember back in Vancouver in 2010, Weber displayed his howitzer shot when he let go a massive slap shot that actually went through the mesh of the goal.
Duncan Keith was also a lock on the team, you can probably expect him to be #2, paired with Shea on the #1 PP Unit.
The surprise, or not so much, was Jamie Benn making the team. Jamie has slowly worked his way into being one of the elite players in the NHL and now, clearly, he is considered one of the best in the country.
Those are three ex-Rockets who made team Canada, however, the Rockets Alumni did not stop there. Also making their respective countries teams are Alex Edler for team Sweden, Tomas Raffl will be playing for Team Austria and finally Lauris Darzins will be playing for Team Latvia.
Six alumni, all playing in the Olympics. That is a feat in and of itself, and the Kelowna Rockets Organization and it's fans should pump out their chest today, and be proud of our Alums.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Building a Champion
Another week has come and gone in the WHL, and in this week, a lot has happened. The Kelowna Rockets swept both games in Portland, their winning streak came to an abrupt halt to a very determined Vancouver Giants squad, and Myles Bell was named the WHL Player of the Week with his 5 Bingos and 5 helpers in 4 games played.
The attention now shifts to a day a lot of WHL players dread. Trade Deadline day. Every year the WHL's trade deadline is January 10th, and it's the point in the season where GM's have to look at their squad, where they are in the standings and determine whether they will be a seller, or a buyer.
This year, I think it is fair to say that the Kelowna Rockets are going to be big time buyers, but to what extent do they want to go, to buy? It's common knowledge around these parts that Bruce Hamilton has never, nor will he ever sacrifice his future for a loaner player. If he can get a game changer for free, then obviously, he will take it, Example Jamie Benn and Mikael Backlund. This year, however, the Rockets are not getting any freebee's, so where do we go from here? What does the team need, what don't they need?
I'm not going to start speculating which player on the current roster the team could do without, because to be fair, the chemistry of this team is almost too good that you don't want to take any piece out of this fine tuned machine, but what I will do, is speculate on what the Rockets need and who may be available come Jan 10.
I think it's fair to assume the Rockets back end and goaltending situation is not being changed in the slightest as they are by far the most mobile group in the league, but, It's well documented that Kelowna is lacking pure, raw forward talent. The kind of player that breaks a game open. Someone who, when the puck is on his stick, you know something special is about to happen, like a Nic Petan for Portland or a Curtis Lazar for Edmonton. So what could the Rockets possibly do to acquire such an integral piece to a championship team? First off, we can look south of the border.
As of right now, the WHL Scoring leader is Mitch Holmberg of the Spokane Chiefs, it would be a hefty price to get Holmberg, and as he is 20, it would be a rental player, so the chances of that happening are very slim. One player, however, that I could see coming to Kelowna in the coming days is Russian forward, and Saskatoon Blades' leading scorer, Nikita Scherbak. It may require a decent prospect and a pick or two, however, I don't think you have to sell the farm to get Scherbak in the Red, White and Teal, this move makes the most sense, seeing as the Rockets went down to 1 European player when Swede Henrik Nyberg left the team just before the Christmas Break.
Scherbak would be a perfect fit on the Right Wing of the top line with LW Myles Bell and C Tyson Baillie. That line along would scare any defensive core in the WHL.
But, when it's all said and done, I think the Rockets will come out on the other side of deadline day with a much stronger team and nobody but themselves to lose the league title too.
EDIT: After further research, I've learnt that Nikita Scherbak would not be eligible for trade, with new CHL Import draft rules forbidden the trade of an Import until 1 full year after they have been selected in the Import Draft. Which leaves us with the question. Who is available at Right Wing that could be a game breaker for the Rockets?
The attention now shifts to a day a lot of WHL players dread. Trade Deadline day. Every year the WHL's trade deadline is January 10th, and it's the point in the season where GM's have to look at their squad, where they are in the standings and determine whether they will be a seller, or a buyer.
This year, I think it is fair to say that the Kelowna Rockets are going to be big time buyers, but to what extent do they want to go, to buy? It's common knowledge around these parts that Bruce Hamilton has never, nor will he ever sacrifice his future for a loaner player. If he can get a game changer for free, then obviously, he will take it, Example Jamie Benn and Mikael Backlund. This year, however, the Rockets are not getting any freebee's, so where do we go from here? What does the team need, what don't they need?
I'm not going to start speculating which player on the current roster the team could do without, because to be fair, the chemistry of this team is almost too good that you don't want to take any piece out of this fine tuned machine, but what I will do, is speculate on what the Rockets need and who may be available come Jan 10.
I think it's fair to assume the Rockets back end and goaltending situation is not being changed in the slightest as they are by far the most mobile group in the league, but, It's well documented that Kelowna is lacking pure, raw forward talent. The kind of player that breaks a game open. Someone who, when the puck is on his stick, you know something special is about to happen, like a Nic Petan for Portland or a Curtis Lazar for Edmonton. So what could the Rockets possibly do to acquire such an integral piece to a championship team? First off, we can look south of the border.
As of right now, the WHL Scoring leader is Mitch Holmberg of the Spokane Chiefs, it would be a hefty price to get Holmberg, and as he is 20, it would be a rental player, so the chances of that happening are very slim. One player, however, that I could see coming to Kelowna in the coming days is Russian forward, and Saskatoon Blades' leading scorer, Nikita Scherbak. It may require a decent prospect and a pick or two, however, I don't think you have to sell the farm to get Scherbak in the Red, White and Teal, this move makes the most sense, seeing as the Rockets went down to 1 European player when Swede Henrik Nyberg left the team just before the Christmas Break.
Scherbak would be a perfect fit on the Right Wing of the top line with LW Myles Bell and C Tyson Baillie. That line along would scare any defensive core in the WHL.
But, when it's all said and done, I think the Rockets will come out on the other side of deadline day with a much stronger team and nobody but themselves to lose the league title too.
EDIT: After further research, I've learnt that Nikita Scherbak would not be eligible for trade, with new CHL Import draft rules forbidden the trade of an Import until 1 full year after they have been selected in the Import Draft. Which leaves us with the question. Who is available at Right Wing that could be a game breaker for the Rockets?
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