Weekend Fun

r Friday’s exciting 2-1 overtime win over Everett had the desired effect on the Rockets’ performance the rest of their busy weekend.

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r Kelowna used the springboard of Mikael Backlund’s Friday game winner to victories over Kamloops at home on Saturday and in Spokane on Sunday. With the 6 points earned, the Rockets are now just 2 in back of the Chiefs in the battle for 3^rd place in the Western Conference.

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r Captain, Colin Long, was the game star on Sunday as he connected for both Kelowna goals, scoring one short-handed before potting the game winner on a third period power play. After the game, Assistant Coach, Ryan Cuthbert, was naturally pleased with the outcome when speaking on the AM 1150 Post Game Show.

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r “We told the guys coming in here tonight that it was going to be tough,” said Cuthbert. “We’ve played a lot of close games against these guys the last couple of years so we knew we’d have to grind it out right till the end.”

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r “It was great seeing our power play get it done for us as well. As inconsistent as it’s been for us at times, it came through for us. That should give our team a big boost.”

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r On Saturday, the Rockets won for the seventh time in seven games against the Blazers, riding two point nights from a trio of players – Jamie Benn, Kyle St. Denis and Tyson Barrie. If the playoffs were to start today, the Rockets would face fifth place Kamloops in the first round. A third place finish would set them up against the sixth seed, currently held down by Everett.

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r Long also scored on Saturday and continues to lead the Rockets with 27 goals and 69 points in 51 games, good for 8^th in the WHL scoring parade. Benn’s 35^th of the year on Saturday has him tied for 3^rd in the league in goals scored. Between them, Long and Benn have scored 28 of the team’s 67 power play goals on the year. The Kelowna power play now sits 4^th in the league with a 24% efficiency rating.

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r And, with the season winding down and the playoffs looming, the emergence of Cody Almond as the team’s ‘go-to’ guy for key face-offs has produced great results. Almond won a couple of defensive zone draws in the game’s final minute on Sunday, with the Chiefs going with 6 attackers. What’s more, the Minnesota Wild draft pick is in the midst of a career year, points-wise, having 26 goals and 51 points in 53 games.

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r “Cody’s definitely established himself as the guy we want out there taking key draws,” said Cuthbert. “He’s been called on a number of times and he’s continued to step up.”

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r “Overall, he’s showing his maturity and proving that he’s ready for the next level.”

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r The Rockets are back in action this coming Friday and Saturday with Vancouver and Prince George coming to town.

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