Having reeled in the Prince George Cougars over the course of the last month, a B.C. Division pennant is now in clear view for the 琉璃神社 Rockets.
With just a week left in the WHL regular season and holding one game in hand, the Rockets (41-21-5-0) are a mere two points back of the Cougars (42-21-3-2) for top spot.
With four of their last five games at Prospera Place鈥攁nd three remaining against the last-place Vancouver Giants鈥攖he Rockets couldn鈥檛 ask for a much more favourable scenario.
Prince George, on the other hand, will visit Tri City and Spokane, before closing out the season with a home-and-home set against the rival Kamloops Blazers.
While the prospects of a division title loom large and excitement builds toward the start of the postseason, head coach Jason Smith said it鈥檚 imperative the Rockets remain focused on their day-to-day tasks.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited that the playoffs are coming but we still have games to play and they鈥檙e all important games,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淲e have a real good opportunity to put a good stretch together here between now and the end of the year and that鈥檚 what we want to do鈥e want to have energy and excitement and compete every night.鈥�
The Rockets look to have hit their stride at just the right time of year, with seven wins in their last eight games and 10 in the last 12.
琉璃神社 defenceman James Hilsendager says the Rockets鈥� game is definitely trending in the right direction.
鈥淎s a group we鈥檝e come together the past three weeks or so, our systems are great and we鈥檙e sticking to them,鈥� said Hilsendager. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a lot of individual play, we鈥檙e playing as a group.
鈥淲e鈥檙e playing really well right now, we鈥檝e just gotta keep it going into the playoffs.鈥�
And Hilsendager鈥檚 assessment is backed up by his head coach. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to fine-tune our game, make sure we鈥檙e ready to play come playoffs,鈥� said Jason Smith. 鈥淲e鈥檙e starting to play more complete games, we鈥檙e playing with structure and detail, and that鈥檚 allowing us to have success.鈥�
The Rockets host the Vancouver Giants Friday night, followed by the Victoria Royals on Saturday. Face-off both nights is 7:05 p.m.
