Kelowna Rockets face ‘desperate’ hour: Tuesday’s coast-to-coast

Combing all corners of the country and the blogosphere for your junior hockey headlines ...

WHL

Will the Kelowna Rockets take another step toward coming back a 3-o series deficit against Seattle? The Thunderbirds have lost right wing Connor Honey to suspension, which might help Kelowna's cause. (Kelowna Capital News)

Rob Vanstone has the latest off-the-cuff suggestion for changing the Memorial Cup: "The champion of the host league earns a Memorial Cup berth, and some time off while a playoff is held to determine the other finalist. If the WHL is hosting, for example, the OHL and QMJHL champions would meet to determine the other Memorial Cup participant. A best-of-seven, Stanley Cup-style Memorial Cup championship series would ensue, with games being played in the home rinks of the two finalists. Such a format would ashcan the flawed host-team exemption and reward the fans of each league champion." Some players still in high school would be writing their final exams in between games. (Regina Leader-Post)

Will seven weeks be enough time for the Saskatoon Blades to fix their problems? (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

Edmonton Oilers prospect Kale Kessy's seven goals in six games gave Kamloops the extra push to polish off Victoria. (Victoria Times-Colonist, Voice of the Victoria Royals)

By extending Portland to six games, the Everett Silvertips played into April for the first time in six seasons. (Everett Herald)

Edmonton Oil Kings wing Trevor Cheek has signed with the Colorado Avalanche. (The Columbian)

OHL

The London Knights' goal against the Kitchener Rangers and their seemingly impregnable goalie, John Gibson? "Ugly goals," as Max Domi puts it. (London Free Press)

Speaking of London, defenceman Tommy Hughes has landed a contract with the New York Rangers despite never being drafted. Hey, just like Dan Girardi. (The Blueshirts Blog)

Is Knights rookie defenceman Miles Liberati going to hear his name at the NHL draft? (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Boston Bruins first-rounder Malcolm Subban had "his best game of the series" in Belleville's series clincher vs. Mississauga, making 31 saves in a 3-1 win and stoning Andres Kopstals on an out-of-the-penalty-box breakaway. (Belleville Intelligencer)

The Steelheads' exit marked the end to the OHL tenures of Riley Brace, Alex Cord, Dylan DeMelo and Stuart Percy, the last holdovers from the Mississauga-St. Michael's Majors' 2011 Memorial Cup runner-up. (Mississauga News)

Due to OHL sanctions, the Windsor Spitfires' first choice in Saturday's priority selection draft will not be until 43rd overall. (Windsor Star)

Friends of BTN John Matisz and Ryan Yessie talk OHL draft. (Metro London)

Confused about when your team actually picks? This will help. (In The O)

QMJHL

Three years in a row, the 13 seed has eliminated the 4 seed in the first round. (Parlons Junior)

Halifax Mooseheads coach Dominique Ducharme prefers to avoid a battle of wits with Gatineau's Benoit Groulx. Relying on the wits of your players seems wise when you have Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon on your team. (Halifax Chronicle-Herald)

Top-seeded Halifax could have right wing Ryan Falkenham back in the lineup; he is taking part in full-contract practices after missing 25 games with a brain injury. (Metro Halifax)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.