When Reid Gardiner joined the 琉璃神社 Rockets from the American Hockey League in January, he hoped there would be a lot to play for late in the Western Hockey League season.
The skilled 21-year-old forward hasn鈥檛 been disappointed.
With a first-place finish in the B.C. Division title still within reach, the Rockets play host to the Everett Silvertips Wednesday night at Prospera Place.
With one game in hand on Prince George and three games remaining, 琉璃神社 (43-21-5-0) sits just two points back of the Cougars (44-21-3-0) for top spot.
The Rockets will close out the regular schedule with a home-and-home set this weekend against the Vancouver Giants,
If 琉璃神社 wins all three鈥攔egardless of the outcome of the Cougars鈥� last two games鈥攖he Rockets would clinch the division crown.
Still, it鈥檚 first things first for Gardiner and the Rockets who are focusing solely on the 鈥楾ips, a team that also has plenty at stake.
Everett is embroiled in battle with the Seattle Thunderbirds for top spot in both the U.S. Division and the Western Conference.
鈥淓verybody knows how big the games are and they only get bigger as the year progresses,鈥� said Gardiner, who is on a 15-game point scoring streak for the Rockets.
鈥淲e know if we play our game, we can play with any team in the league. Everett is obviously a very good team, we鈥檒l need to make the most our chances because against them, we likely won鈥檛 get too many.鈥�
The Rockets and Silvertips couldn鈥檛 have been much better matched in the first three meetings this season.
琉璃神社 won twice in overtime, while the 鈥楾ips lone victory was also by a single goal.
Like Gardiner, Rockets鈥� head man Jason Smith said facing one of the league鈥檚 top teams with so much on the line is an exciting challenge for his club.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great challenge against a team that鈥檚 played well all year, we鈥檝e had some real good games with them so far,鈥� said Smith, whose club has won seven straight games.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big game for us as a group, against one of the better teams in the league. We鈥檙e confident in our team, in our group in our room. If we go out and play the game the right way and we compete we know we can play with anybody.鈥�
The Rockets will host Vancouver Friday, 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place, before travelling to Langley on Saturday to face the Giants in the regular season finale for both teams.
