Rockets face familiar foe

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Rodney Southam (17) will face his old team when the Rockets open the WHL playoffs against Tri-City Friday.

A year ago Rodney Southam was a 17-year-old rookie with the Tri-City Americans.

When the playoffs rolled around the young Americans, who slotted in as the number eight seed, were hoping to gain some experience for the seasons ahead.

They came up against the high flying Kelowna Rockets in the first round a year ago and their general manager had no illusions about what to expect.

"To be put under the fire against the top team in Canada right off the bat...we'll take those lessons...whatever the outcome is we're going to learn a lot about playing hockey in Kelowna," Americans GM Bob Tory said prior to that series with the Rockets.

Southam found himself in a checking role in that series, asked to shut down the likes of Rourke Chartier, Nick Merkley and the since graduated Marek Tvrdon.

In those five games Southam was held without a point but was also just a -2.

"There was so much energy in both buildings. The atmosphere from the regular season to the playoffs...everything changes," Southam recalled from that series.

"You end up gripping your stick tighter. The nerves get to you a little bit. I enjoyed the series butting heads with a couple of guys."

Despite losing in five games Southam said he learned a lot from that first round series.

"Definitely. Even though it was only five games, every game you learn more and more," said Southam.

"Playing in those high pressure moments you learn a lot. Eric (Comrie) was definitely able to steal one for us."

Southam got a chance to see the hockey world from the other side when the Rockets acquired him from Tri-City in early November for a fifth round bantam pick in 2016.

Now, he'll get a chance to butt heads the other way when he and the Rockets face the same Tri-City Americans in round one of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

The circumstances are similar to what they were a year ago.

The Rockets were runaway winners in the Western Conference, while the Ams squeaked into the playoffs in the final week of the regular season.

Nineteen-year-old goaltender Eric Comrie was the Ams ace up the sleeve last yea,r and will be called upon again to try and steal a series against a team which finished nearly 50 points ahead of them in the standings.

"He's a tremendous goalie, he really is. Every trick I have I'll be trying to use it on him, and hopefully share it with some of the guys," said Southam.

Southam will be asked to do more than just play a shutdown role in this series. He's shown over his time with the Rockets he can also contribute offensively.

In 53 games in Kelowna, Southam contributed seven goals and 11 assists while accumulating 75 minutes in penalties.

The Rockets and Ams will kick off their first round series with games one and two Friday and Saturday at Prospera Place.