December 16th, 2014: Kelowna Rockets 4, Oil Kings 1
Sorry we missed another game (Oil Kings 4, Blazers 1 on Dec 10), finals week took over our lives! But we are back today with another post.
The Kelowna Rockets came to town on Tuesday, ready to demonstrate why they lead the Western Conference by a 15-point margin. This one was never really in question for Kelowna–the Oil Kings had a fair start, but the WHL’s powerhouse team quickly made them answer for sloppy play with two goals in the first period from Rodney Southam and Cole Linaker. Brandon Baddock gave the Oil Kings their only goal with a nice deflection on the powerplay (1-for-6) near the end of the second period, but the Rockets were able to answer a minute later, just before time expired. Tyson Baillie added one more goal for the Rockets on the powerplay (2-for-4) in a chippy third period to put this one away.
The Rockets were shorthanded, with four players away for Canada’s world junior camp, including recently acquired defenseman Josh Morrissey. The Oil Kings are without Mads Eller until the new year as he’s currently playing for Team Denmark in the World Junior A Challenge in preparation for the WJC this holiday season.
Ashton Sautner’s 12-game point streak came to an end against Kamloops last week, but he’s started another one already, picking up an assist in each of his last two games. He has 18 points in the last 14 games and 28 on the season, putting him just one back of Brett Pollock’s team-leading 29.
There was a bit of confusion in the second period when a player appeared on the ice for the Oil Kings wearing #38. However, it was just Brandon Baddock, who had his regular #13 jersey torn in the first. Props to equipment manager Rogan Dean on his quick hands, getting Baddock’s name bar and “A” attached during the intermission.
The Oil Kings are in a bit of a rough stretch, winning just one of their last six and three of their last ten. They remain one game above .500 at 15-14-3-2, and will play the Hitmen tonight in Calgary.
FROM THE FIFTH ROW 