Seven minutes and 56 seconds away from sending it to game six

• Lucas Bloodoff's goal with 7:56 left in regulation time should have sent the Kelowna Rockets second round playoff series back to Prospera Place for a game six, but the Tri City Americans had other ideas. Down by two goals late in the game, the Americans scored twice, including the tying goal with the goaltender pulled with 1:24 left in regulation time. Then in overtime, forward Kruise Reddick scored the game winning goal with a blast from just inside the blue line that beats goaltender Mark Guggenberger between the legs. Game over. Series over. Tri City Americans 4, Kelowna Rockets 3. The Am's eliminate the Rockets in five games.
• You won't have success without secondary scoring, and the Rockets found that out first hand in this series. The line of Lucas Bloodoff, Brandon McMillan and Geordie Wudrick were in on all three goals in the game five loss. In fact, of the 11 goals scored in the series by the Rockets, that line combined to score nine of them.
• Who was the best player on the ice in game five? He wasn't granted a star, but Brandon McMillan ended his junior career with a terrific performance. McMillan scored once shorthanded, had an even strength breakaway goal, and set up Lucas Bloodoff's third period goal to make it 3-1. McMillan will be playing his 20 year-old season in the Anaheim Ducks organization next season. His final game in a Rockets uniform was lights out.
• Mark Guggenberger again proved that he indeed comes to play in the playoffs. The 21 year-old goaltender was again sharp and can't be blamed for allowing the game winning goal. Reddick essentially moves away from a sliding Brett Bulmer before walking into a slap shot that goes through Guggenberger's legs. Reddick is the hero for a second straight game after also scoring the winner on the power play in game four.
• Lucas Bloodoff's final game with the Rockets was a memorable one. The Rockets captain had three goals in the series, none more impressive then his diving stab at a puck in game five that was sent towards the goal by line mate Brandon McMillan. If the Rockets rookies can take one thing away from Bloodoff's performance in the playoffs, it was his work ethic.
• As good as the Rockets power play was during the regular season, it struggled in the playoffs. While it showed signs of improving in an opening round series against Everett, it went totally flat against Tri City. In the five games against the Americans it went 2 for 19. That's good for an efficiency rate of just 10.5%. In game five the Rockets were granted a 5 on 3 in the second period but were unable to score. It could have been a difference maker in the series, but failed to manufacture a goal in three of the last four games of the series.
• The Tri City Americans are a fun team to watch. They have the ability to change the game in a matter of seconds thanks to their skill level. This team works hard, never gives up, yet plays a clean-hard nosed game.
• Congratulations to Americans GM Bob Tory, head coach Jim Hiller and the players, for an enjoyable series. With three of the five games decided by a single goal, it just showed that these two teams were evenly matched despite the 21 point deferential in the Western Conference standings.
• The Rockets played 84 games this season....72 regular season and 12 playoff games. In the playoffs, those 12 games were played in just 22 nights.
• The game photo used on this blog is courtesy of John Allen Photography.