Rockets edge Kamloops
Kelowna takes seven of a possible eight WHL points, last week
The Kelowna Rockets earned seven of a possible eight points over the past week, a four-game homestand that has seen the hockey club extend its lead atop the Western Hockey League’s B.C. division standings.
However, according to veteran defenceman Gordie Ballhorn, the group has plenty of work still to do.
“I think we’ve got some soulsearching to do in the room,” Ballhorn said. “We have to buy in, we can’t let these teams hang around. We have to figure out how to shut teams out and put them to bed. We can’t keep letting them back into hockey games.”
While the Rockets earned three regulations wins and a shootout loss through last week, each verdict was a one-goal decision in games against teams that may not qualify for the WHL’s post-season.
In fact, since Feb. 10, seven of Kelowna’s eight contests have been decided by one-goal, save for a 4-1 loss at home to the then-lowly Red Deer Rebels.
Indeed, these nail-biters have become the order of the day.
“The two points and the wins are nice,” said head coach Jason Smith. “I think there are some lessons learned from the game(s) that we have to continue to play and compete and pay attention to details.
“We talked about it in the (dressing) room, how important detail and commitment to doing things the right way allows you to really have success. You start to veer off and you’re not mentally engaged or physically engaged, there’s lapses and mistakes happen.”
Against the Blazers on Saturday, a lack of discipline played a big role in the affair. The Rockets jumped out to a 3-0 lead midway through the game on a pair of goals by Dillon Dube, his 31st and 32nd of the season, and Connor Bruggen-Cate’s 17th.
Kamloops, 18th in team scoring among the 22 WHL teams, scored four times in a 5:54 span to take a 4-3 lead after two periods.
Leif Mattson tallied a shorthanded marker, his 20th of the season, to tie the game at 12:50 of the third period and relieve some anxiety in the building.
However, 21 seconds later, the Blazers scored on the same power play to go ahead 5-4 when Orrin Centazzo’s shot from the point eluded a screened Brodan Salmond.
The Rockets squared the match 29 seconds later when Carsen Twarynski ripped a one-timer past Blazers keeper Dylan Ferguson on a Rockets power play for his 38th of the campaign.
The game-winner came at 17:47 when Ballhorn’s point shot wound up behind the Blazers goal. Jack Cowell was able to control the puck and dish out front to Mattson. who hammered his second of the night and 21st of the season past Ferguson.
Following the 6-5-win, Smith delivered a harsh message to the leadership group when he was asked about key veterans spending too much time in the penalty box. The challenge for the coaching staff perhaps, is these same players possess the skill to help pull out wins in close games.
“Probably by sitting them on the bench the next time they take bad penalties, that’s probably the best way to do it,” Smith said. “Bad penalties are what cost you.
“If we don’t get our mental discipline under control where we’re not taking bad penalties that hurt the team. If you take a penalty that saves a goal or is a big physical check, those are penalties that the team normally kills off.
“When you take bad penalties, you’re normally in trouble because its an emotional swing for your team and it costs you.”
The Rockets improved to 38-18-42 for 82 points and now lead the B.C. division by seven points over the Victoria Royals.
ICE CHIPS…Kelowna outshot Kamloops, 37-28 and is now 23-10-12 when outshooting opponents...The Rockets are now 3-15-2 in games when training after 40 minutes…Three stars were Dube, Mattson and Kneen… Rockets scratches were James Hilsendager, Nolan Foote, Kyle Topping, Kyle Pow and Roman Basran...The Rockets play three games on the road this week including a doubleheader in Prince George against the Cougars on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Friday, Kelowna plays in Everett against the Western conferenceleading Silvertips… The next home game is Saturday when the Spokane Chiefs come calling to Prospera Place.