Things that make me go hmm…

Apr 16, 2024 | 7:00 AM

While most hockey fans in Prince George were oohing and aahing over rookie goaltender Josh Ravensbergen’s back-to-back shutouts in games one and two, they should be looking at themselves as the real story. Standing-room-only crowds for Friday’s opener, and then a sellout for Saturday’s rematch. Prince George and area hockey fans, take a bow. Whether you are a season ticket holder from day one or you’ve jumped on the bandwagon, the fact you are supporting your team at this time of the year is outstanding. The atmosphere at CN Centre was electric and showing pride for your team by stepping up with your wallet gets a high five from me.
In case you are wondering, the longest WHL playoff shutout streak is held by Kenton Rein of the Prince Albert Raiders. In 1986, the netminder didn’t allow a goal in 196 minutes and 45 seconds of action.
The Rockets have gone 120 minutes in this series without a goal. The last player to score was Max Graham, an empty net goal against Wenatchee in game six. We asked Graham about his team’s inability to find the back of the net. “This is territory we don’t want to be in,” he said. “We haven’t been getting enough shots, and the ones that we have been getting haven’t been good quality. We are snake-bitten, but I think we can turn this around and get past it.”
It has been a quiet opening two games for forward Andrew Cristall. The Kelowna Rockets leading point producer during the regular season has just one shot on net. While concerning, Cougars forward Terik Parascak has four shots on net, zero in game two. Parascak was the Cougars’ second-leading shooter behind Zac Funk during the regular season.
While the Cougars have a two-to-nothing lead in this series, if you are a Rockets fan there is room for optimism. It is safe to say the Rockets have been nowhere near their best, and yes, the opposition has much to do with that. But, if the team was firing on all cylinders and then still being shut out in consecutive games, I’d be extremely worried. I’d suggest the Rockets were very average to below average in effort and execution in games one and two.
In both losses, the power play could have been a real difference-maker. The Rockets had the first chance in game one and couldn’t score. It didn’t even manufacture any good looks. Zero momentum was gained. On the second power play, a puck hits the shin pad of Cougars forward Terik Parascak, and the dynamic forward scores shorthanded. For me, that is just a bad break. The same holds true on Borya Valis’ breakaway goal in game two, which made the score 4-0. How that puck was sent high in the air from deep in the Cougars zone and found its way between several Rockets defenders is nothing short of luck. Yes, you create your own luck, but the Cougars have had some, and the Rockets, deservedly so, have had zero.
Should we be surprised at the Rockets’ lack of success on the power play in the opening two games? Sadly no, considering that unit had the second-worst efficiency rate on the road during the regular season. Plus, the Cougars are no slouches in defending. In essence, it is the perfect storm. The Rockets had one of the most lethal power play units at home this season, and I anticipate it being a threat in game three tonight at Prospera Place.
Luke Schelter returns to the lineup tonight after serving a three-game suspension after a kneeing major against Wenatchee in game five. RocketFAN spoke to the 19-year-old, who is itching to help his team. “It was really hard. It was tough to watch my team play without me, but it was nice to see the guys win the first game [that he sat out] in Wenatchee, and then move on in the series, but getting to watch from above is beneficial. I think it will help our team if I get a fresh new start, as I bring a fresh set of eyes to the team.”
If you are coming to tonight’s game, you will be watching two Czechia-born forwards who are excellent in their own zone. Observe Kelowna Rockets Captain Gabriel Szturc and his commitment to defending, and then keep an eye on fellow countryman Ondrej Becher on how he defends first as a member of the Cougars’ number one line. Both players were named their hockey team’s top defensive forwards at season’s end.
The Rockets will be using the cliché, you aren’t in trouble until you’ve lost at home. Down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series, games three and four are at Prospera Place. The Rockets are 3-0 in the playoffs at home, beating Wenatchee 5-1, 3-1 and 4-2. During the regular season – on home ice – against the Cougars, the Rockets were a 5-4 winner, losing 6-5 in overtime, 6-5 in a shootout, and falling 5-4 in regulation time.
A special thanks to my buddy Al Bristowe for helping me on the broadcasts in game one and two. Bristowe and I go way back to our days in Swift Current, where I told him to leave the radio station and get a job at the local TV station. Yep, Swift Current had a TV station at the time called CJFB. He took my advice and eventually made stops at CKBI and CKPG. Bristowe grew up in Prince Albert and is still a big Raiders fan to this day. He even had a chance to say a special Happy Birthday to his sister on Saturday nights broadcast, who was listening to the game back in Kelowna.
After back-to-back shutout wins, Prince George fans were quick to the Kelowna Rockets Facebook page to gloat. It is funny how that works, right? It isn’t so much fun staying on your own island and leaving comments on the Cougars’ Facebook page. That is boring. Throwing shade is way more interesting. And for Kelowna Rockets fans taking exception to the barbs being thrown about, just remember Cougar fans have been waiting for this opportunity for 30 years.
Fighting in the playoffs is very rare. How rare? Kelowna Rockets forward Brett Calhoon got into a tussle with Cougars forward Jett Lajoie in game one. The last time a Rockets player served a five-minute major penalty for fighting in a playoff game was in game one of an opening-round series in 2017 with the Kamloops Blazers. Jack Cowell, yes Jack Cowell was involved in a first-period scrap with Blazers skater Jackson Shepard. Cowell had two career fights. Shepard surprisingly had 20 career tilts. Here is the video evidence. https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/137143
I had one Cougar fan come up to me on the concourse before Saturday’s game and ask this question, ‘Are you going to do the Iggy Wiggy-Wiggy Woo-Woo’? I had a good chuckle over that, as did Trae Johnson’s dad (Dion) and mom (Twila), who were part of the conversation. It is interesting what resonates with fans. I hope to pull one or two of them off, not if, but when Tij Iginla finds the back of the net.
For the first time in my 20+ years behind the mic, I found myself and the Kelowna Rockets staying at a different hotel in Prince George. The Coast of the North has been the teams’ hotel provider for decades until this past weekend. The change of venue gave RocketFAN a better appreciation for the city of Prince George. Situated along Highway 16, the area is much more vibrant with newer amenities like shopping centers and restaurants. It is in sharp contrast to the Coast of the North, which is located in the downtown core. While driving around Prince George, you also get a better understanding of exactly how large it is, and UNBC, the university there, is nothing short of terrific. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not moving up north anytime soon, but I can see why people reside there and the city of 75,000 may get more of a bad rap than it deserves.
At 1387 words, it is time to close the barn doors shut. While I don’t expect a sellout crowd at Prospera Place for games three and four, surely we can get close to five-thousand bodies in the building. Remember the first 2500 fans will receive a noise maker, so bang them like their is no tomorrow and cheer on your team to victory.

Things that make me go hmm…

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