A night where a shutdown d-man shined

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DeSouza wasn’t wearing the unsung hero tagged Saturday night, though, in a 5-3 home-ice win over the visiting Tri-City Americans.

In a game for the ages for the likable and chatty blueliner, DeSouza’s efforts were on full display by, remarkably, scoring not once, but twice in the teams’ fourth straight win at Prospera Place.

With only one career goal to show over his 84 games in the WHL, the Erie, Colorado residents blasted a long shot from distance after a clean face-off win by teammate Gabriel Szturc to open the scoring, and then did one better, with a more shocking endeavor, by joining the attack and scoring a shorthanded goal in the second period to make it a one-goal game.

It was that tally, that turned the tide in the Rockets’ favour. Had the Americans found pay dirt on that power play, it would have been a 4-1 score. Instead, the picture-perfect pass from teammate Dylan Wightman on the blade of DeSouza made it a one-goal game.

Named the first star, DeSouza earned it in so many ways. Sure, he scored his first goal in 51 games, and indeed it was his first two goal game of his career, but his efforts when captain Colton Dach was ejected from the game after receiving a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit to the head, may have been the real difference maker.

With the Rockets and Americans tied at 3 after 40 minutes, the visitors had the luxury of a four-minute power play to begin the third period. With Jari Kykkanen making his first start since October 29th in Portland, the 18-year-old goalie was as good as his teammates in front of him in killing off the infraction.

The Rockets’ penalty-killing unit has been one of the pleasant surprises in the young season. Going 6 for 6 last night was impressive, but the fact the team owns the fifth-best efficiency rate while being a man down is eye-popping. A season ago, with arguably a deeper defensive core, they were ranked 15th at season’s end.

Earning back-to-back wins on consecutive nights for the first time this season was important, heading into a stretch of games this week that will challenge them like never before.

Two road games against Seattle (Wednesday) and Everett (Friday) will conclude with a home date against the Moose Jaw Warriors (Saturday).

The Rockets will need heroic efforts, as we saw from DeSouza Saturday night, to earn points against three teams that boast 27, 26, and 25 points respectively.