Former Viper St. Denis Eager To Contribute:

St. Denis eager to contribute

by Wayne Moore - Apr 23, 2009

You can sum up Kyle St. Denis' 2008-2009 hockey season in one word -- frustrating! That would be followed by three exclamation points, not just one. The second year Kelowna Rockets forward has suited up in only 23 of the team's 85 games this season. St. Denis played 15 games before suffering a broken bone in his right hand October 24 against Chilliwack. The injury caused him to miss 37 games. He played just seven games upon his return, only to suffer a head injury against the same Bruins February 18. That injury forced St. Denis to miss another 25 games. The 19-year-old Trail native returned to the Rockets line-up for Tuesday's third game of the Western Conference final with the Vancouver Giants. Although he saw limited ice time in his return, St. Denis admitted after to being tired. It's one thing to be in shape, another to be in game shape. St. Denis hopes to contribute more when the Rockets look to even the series in game four Thursday at Prospera Place. "It's pretty tough. Coming back from my last injury it was during the regular season so the games weren't as intense as they are now," says St. Denis. "It's still tough getting into game shape. I don't think I had the greatest game but I got the first one under my belt, so I think next game will be a little better." The Rockets in general will need to be a 'little better' Thursday. After an impressive opening game 4-2 win Saturday, the Rockets have stumbled in losing 4-3 in overtime Sunday and 3-2 at Prospera Place Tuesday. The Rockets had chances to put the game away in the third period, especially during an extended five-one-three advantage early in the third period of a 2-2 tie, but couldn't beat Tyson Sexsmith. The Vancouver net minder was easily the best player on the ice Tuesday. "He's played well this series. We just have to get pucks on net. We can't be playing on the perimeter like we did tonight. Keep it simple, get pucks to the net and they'll go in," added St. Denis. The series will shift back to Vancouver for game five on Saturday. If a sixth game is necessary, it would be played Monday back at Prospera Place.