Ten games into the Western Hockey league schedule and the Kelowna Rockets sit precariously in second place in the BC Division with a record of 4-4-1-1, two points ahead of both the Prince George Cougars and Vancouver Giants.
Following the Rockets home ice loss to the Calgary Hitmen last Friday by a 4-3 count, the team hit the road for three games in four nights; two in Portland, Oregon and one in Kennewick, Washington, the home of the Tri City Americans.
For the record, the team rode its ultra modern iron lung for at least 1,629 kilometres. That’s about 1,012 miles. By the clock, conservatively, that’s about 19 hours travel time. If there is a silver lining, let’s stick tap the reality that these miles are being traveled in mid-October rather than mid-winter.
Another home loss…
Calgary waltzed into Kelowna and played an effective road game, but goaltender Nick Schneider was the reason the Hitmen escaped with the win. Signed by the Calgary Flames as a free agent before the 2015-16 season, Schneider made 31 saves on the night and held the fort during a second period barrage by the Rockets, turning away 17 of 18 shots. Meanwhile, the Hitmen tallied twice in the middle frame and took a 3-1 lead into the third period. Kyle Topping collected three points (1G, 2A) for the Rockets. Kelowna has dropped its last three starts at Prospera Place.
Portland no pushover…
This past weekend, US Division leading Winterhawks earned four points at home against Kelowna with a 5-4 overtime win then an 8-2 drubbing the next night. With the victories, Portland moved to a stellar 8-1 on the season and leads the US Division standings.
On Saturday, Kelowna overcame a 3-0 deficit to force overtime, salvaging one point in the process. Carsen Twarynski scored twice, while Erik Gardiner and Kyle Topping also chipped in.
Also of note from the affair on Saturday, Kole Lind fell victim to a Keoni Texeira open ice hit in the first tilt at Portland on Saturday. It’s the kind of high, dangerous contact the game needs less of. However, time and time again we see evidence that this is the kind of hit players continue to initiate when the opportunity arises. Lind was vulnerable as he crossed centre ice and Texeira didn’t hesitate to stride into the Rockets leading scorer.
Texeira’s indiscretion earned him a major and game misconduct, then a two-game suspension. Lind returned to the game later after some attention by the training staff.
On Sunday, the Winterhawks dominated, again jumping out to a 3-0 lead. On this night, Portland kept up the scoring barrage. The game wasn’t even close and the Rockets looked a little worn out during their third game in three nights. Topping with his third of the season and Gordie Ballhorn with his second accounted for the Rockets scoring.
Fourth loss in five nights…
The run from Portland to Kennewick, while likely a somewhat somber journey after three straight losses, provided the Rockets with a chance to reverse the trend and build momentum. Tri City, like Kelowna, has also struggled to hit its stride, which made for an interesting matchup.
The Americans (6-4) knocked off the Rockets, 2-1, although Kelowna outshot the hosts, 34-24. Dillon Dube scored the lone marker for Kelowna, on a power play with 1:35 remaining. In fact, the Rockets played the final 2:38 with the man advantage after Tri City forward Jordan Topping was assessed a boarding major and game misconduct after initiating contact with Jack Cowell. Had the Rockets scored again to tie the game, they would have continued to play the first 2:22 of overtime on the power play.
Brother Act(s)…
A side note here from the game in Kennewick: It was the first meeting of the season between the Topping brothers of British Columbia. Kyle, now 17, is in his second season with Kelowna while Jordan, 20, is in his fourth season with Tri City. They are both forwards and they entered the game with 11 points each so far. The brothers were held off the score sheet on the night.
For the real WHL trivia buffs, there has been a “Topping” on the Americans roster since the 2011-12 season.
Defenceman Mitch Topping, from Red Deer, appeared in 201 games for the Amerks from 2011 to 2014. Digging further, Mitch’s younger brother Joel played parts of four seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes between 2010 and 2014.
When asked by DUBNetwork prior to his post-game interview after the Rockets loss to Calgary last Friday, Kyle advised that he and his brother are not related to Mitch and Joel.
What’s on tap…
This coming weekend, the Rockets entertain Portland in a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday that will mean these two western conference rivals will be done with each other for the 2017-18 campaign before either team has played 15 regular season games.
By the time the Winterhawks arrive and depart Kelowna, the Rockets will have played six games in nine nights. This is a hockey club that needs a breather, an opportunity to mend and regroup. Fortunately, this will come in form of a five-day break in its schedule after its game against Portland on Oct. 21.
Answering the call…
Lind, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote are among the 20 players names to Team WHL for the CIBC Canada Russia Series games that will be played in Moose Jaw (Nov. 6) and Swift Current (Nov. 7)…Defenceman Kaeden Korczak will play at the World U-17 Championship in Dawson Creek, BC, Nov. 5-11. Rockets goaltending prospect Roman Basran, 16, will also participate.
Rockets Fuel…
Through 10 games, Kelowna has scored 38 goals, good for an average of 3.8 per outing. On the flip side, the Rockets have given up 43 goals, an average of 4.3 per game…The team is 1-2-0-1 at home and 3-2-1 on the road…Against the BC Division, the Rockets are 4-1. Against teams from other divisions, Kelowna is 0-4-0-1…In 54 power play opportunities so far, the Rockets have scored 11 times, good for a 20.4% proficiency. That’s 11th among the 22 WHL teams…Kelowna has surrendered 13 power play goals, sporting the 19th best penalty kill in the ‘Dub at 72.3%….The Rockets have scored once shorthanded and have given up one shorthanded goal…Perhaps one of the most important team statistics to bear in mind at this point – last season through its first ten games, the Rockets had a record of 3-7.
