Rockets vs. Americans– Feb 17, 2025
Final Score:
Americans 3 – Rockets 2 (SO)
The Story: Last Minute Collapse
The goalies in this game got absolutely peppered with shots, with Kelowna barely edging the count 45-44. Pilon came up with some massive saves, showcasing a steadier, less flashy style compared to Stoesser—but just as effective. Unfortunately, despite holding a late lead, we collapsed in the final minute and then fell in the shootout. Overtime wasn’t much better; I think we touched the puck maybe three times. The team feels close to breaking the streak, but we just can’t seem to put together a complete performance.
Stud of the Night: Michael Cicek
Sorry Benny Boi—it’s your linemate’s turn to shine! Michael Cicek was on fire, even if the stat sheet doesn’t tell the whole story. He was creative, dynamic, and constantly making things happen with his hands and vision. That was peak Cheech, and I hope we see more of it because that was just flat-out fun to watch. While Benson was a fine pick for 3rd star this game it felt like a complete snub after the game Cicek had.
Dud of the Night(s): Powerplay Zone Entry (again)
Talk about a repeat offender! The power play zone entry continues to be a complete mess. As a fan, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for the coaches watching this team fail to gain the zone and sustain possession—again… and again… and again. It’s no surprise our PP stats are brutal (1-for-5 on the night, in case you were wondering). No individual player had a truly bad game—Varga bounced back well from his previous “Dud” status, and Benson kept rolling—but we have to talk about these zone entries until they stop driving me to drink.
Final Thoughts
We’re so close, but man, this streak is brutal. As much as I want a good draft pick, I’m sick of losing. We keep getting solid efforts from different guys, but we can’t put together a full-team game. Combine that inconsistency with our special teams disaster (especially the power play), and it’s a recipe for heartbreak. Just give me a couple of wins so I can at least pretend to care about draft position again! It won’t be easy with some strong teams coming up, but you know what? It’s even sweeter when we beat the good ones.
Note: I didn’t snap any pics this game so you get this pic from a previous game that appears to be some sort of Sonic the Hedgehog Stormtrooper?
