The Rockets dismantled the Columbia Valley Rockies in a home and home series, taking the first leg of the two games by a 5-3 score before a dominant 6-2 win in the return engagement in Golden. With 11 goals scored, there were plenty of candidates for our weekly Three Star selections.
1. Ian Desrosier
Simply outstanding, Desrosier added 8 points to his team leading tally with 3 goals and 5 assists. Continues to be deadly while killing penalties, both in his own zone and in the opponents, as he registered yet another shorthanded goal when he stripped the puck from a Rockies defender and beat goaltender Patrick Ostermann with a nifty deke. Now sits in a tie for 4th in the league’s scoring race with 39 points.
2. Mark Becica
Welcome to the Rockets young man. The Californian made quite the introduction for himself with a pair of wins in his debut weekend. Stopped 28 of 31 in his first game for Golden on Friday before making 33 saves on 35 shots the next night to give Magnus Viberg a well-deserved weekend off. Becica should allow head coach Ty Davidson to play both goalies with confidence, an important luxury to have at this level, where back to back games are the norm.
3. Cole Mckechney
Almost impossible to choose between Mckechney and linemate Tanner Watt for the third spot, with both players performing every bit as well as each other (and Desrosier for that matter). Mckechney gets the nod this week after scoring 2 goals and adding 5 assists over the weekend to land himself in a tie for 6th in the KIJHL, just a couple points back of Desrosier. He was also on the finishing end of one of the nicest goals the Rockets have scored all season. Late in the second period on Saturday, Watt found a streaking Alex Astasiewicz, who then one-timed a pass back across the ice to Mckechney for the highlight reel goal.
The Rockets will travel to Kimberley tonight for a rare Tuesday matchup. The Dynamiters sit 7 points back of Golden in the Eddie Mountain Division, but do hold three games in hand, making it paramount that the Rockets continue to keep their distance. Puck drop is at 7:00. Check back tomorrow for the full story from Kimberley.
