scamperdog
12-03-2006, 08:00 AM
Rockets Heartbreak
by Wayne Moore - Story: 24554
Dec. 02, 2006 / 9:30 pm
http://kelowna.castanet.net/edition/news-story-24554-7-.htm#24554
The seventh man was the difference Saturday night, as the Kamloops Blazers edged Kelowna Rockets 3-2.
In this case, the seventh man wasn't the sold out crowd at Prospera Place, it was referee Kyle Rehman, who must have warmed up for the game issuing tickets in the parking lot.
The Blazers had 12 power-plays in the game, compared to five for the Rockets.
Four of the Blazers penalties came with Kamloops already on the power play. The other happened with just five seconds left in the game.
The Blazers scored twice on the power-play, including the winner by Brock Nixon with seven seconds left in regulation time.
Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt declined comment on the officiating, but did say his young team has to learn to fight through adversity.
"It could be anything, a bad period, a bad call and I thought for the most part, we fought through it well tonight," says Truitt.
Juuso Puustinen on a first period power-play and Ryan White also scored for the Blazers.
Kirt Hill and Clayton Barthel replied for the Rockets, who held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
The Blazers dominated the third period, allowing the Rockets just one shot on goal.
Rockets forward Troy Ofukany, a Kamloops native, got into a couple of scraps in the second period.
He says the team definitely had more jump and enthusiasm than Friday night.
"Last night I don't think all 20 guys showed up. Tonight we showed a lot of emotion for the most part. Overall, we just have to take all the positives out of the game and bring them on to Spokane and Portland.
Kris Westbloom was again spectacular in goal, stopping 34 of 37 shots directed his way.
The Rockets are now winless in their last six games.
They travel to Spokane and Portland next Tuesday and Wednesday, before hosting Everett Friday.
by Wayne Moore - Story: 24554
Dec. 02, 2006 / 9:30 pm
http://kelowna.castanet.net/edition/news-story-24554-7-.htm#24554
The seventh man was the difference Saturday night, as the Kamloops Blazers edged Kelowna Rockets 3-2.
In this case, the seventh man wasn't the sold out crowd at Prospera Place, it was referee Kyle Rehman, who must have warmed up for the game issuing tickets in the parking lot.
The Blazers had 12 power-plays in the game, compared to five for the Rockets.
Four of the Blazers penalties came with Kamloops already on the power play. The other happened with just five seconds left in the game.
The Blazers scored twice on the power-play, including the winner by Brock Nixon with seven seconds left in regulation time.
Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt declined comment on the officiating, but did say his young team has to learn to fight through adversity.
"It could be anything, a bad period, a bad call and I thought for the most part, we fought through it well tonight," says Truitt.
Juuso Puustinen on a first period power-play and Ryan White also scored for the Blazers.
Kirt Hill and Clayton Barthel replied for the Rockets, who held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
The Blazers dominated the third period, allowing the Rockets just one shot on goal.
Rockets forward Troy Ofukany, a Kamloops native, got into a couple of scraps in the second period.
He says the team definitely had more jump and enthusiasm than Friday night.
"Last night I don't think all 20 guys showed up. Tonight we showed a lot of emotion for the most part. Overall, we just have to take all the positives out of the game and bring them on to Spokane and Portland.
Kris Westbloom was again spectacular in goal, stopping 34 of 37 shots directed his way.
The Rockets are now winless in their last six games.
They travel to Spokane and Portland next Tuesday and Wednesday, before hosting Everett Friday.