Brett Connolly's heroics not required

• The Prince George Cougars didn't need their top player to play a pivotal role in Saturday's 6-2 win in Kelowna. Sure, Brett Connolly scored a goal, but the Cougars marquee player wasn't needed thanks to the play of veterans Nick Bounassisi, Parker Stanfield and Spencer Asuchak. The three combined for nine points in the lopsided win.
• The loss snapped a six game losing streak for the Cougars at Prospera Place. They were 0 and 4 last season and lost their previous two games in Kelowna during the 2008-2009 campaign. Prior to Saturday's win, the last time the Cougars picked up two points in Kelowna was January 10, 2009 in a 4-3 victory.
• When was the last time the Rockets gave up six goals in a home opener? It was September 22, 2007 in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Tri City Americans.
  
• Brett Bulmer and rookie Zach Franko scored for the Rockets, who generated little in the way of scoring chances in the third period. In fact, the Rockets managed just four shots in the final frame. It was not a good night for the veteran players, whether it was on defense or at forward.
• Rockets captain Tyson Barrie started the game, but left after the opening period. His absence was clearly noticeable in the offensive zone, where as mentioned, little in the way of offense came from the veteran forwards.
• Shane McColgan suited up for the game, but only for the pre-game ceremony. The 17 year-old was seen sitting in the stands as he recovers from having his tonsils removed.
• It may have been a wake up call for defenseman Antoine Corbin who was a healthy scratch. After attending the training camp of the Dallas Stars, Corbin is sitting in the stands in favour of rookie sixteen year-old Damon Severson.
  
• The best player for the Rockets may have been Severson. No question he has to improve in the defensive zone, but you can't teach a d-man that young to skate with the puck with that type of confidence. Either you have that calm, cool demeanor or you don't. Severson made two impressive rushes with the puck with one almost resulting in a goal
  
• Sure, the Cougars scored two goals that could be described as lucky, but on this night they got what they deserved. Connolly gets a goal that goes off a Rockets defenseman and sails high over the head of goaltender Adam Brown to make the score 4-1. Then Asuchuk scores a third period goal that he appears to fan on, yet it slides past Brown.
• Brown is pulled after the Cougars sixth goal, making way for 17 year-old rookie Jordan Cooke, who enjoys his first WHL action.
  
• Before the game the Rockets have a moment of silence for former MLA Sindi Hawkins, who died of cancer this week.
• Director of Officiating Kevin Muench was in the building Saturday night. Muench told me the WHL has six new referee's this season. In case you missed it, veteran official Chris Savage has decided to retire, so you won't see him on a WHL ice surface this season.