When Reid Gardiner joined the Kelowna 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含羞草研究社檛 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, Kelowna (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 Kelowna wins all three含羞草研究社攔egardless of the outcome of the Cougars含羞草研究社� last two games含羞草研究社攖he Rockets would clinch the division crown.
Still, it含羞草研究社檚 first things first for Gardiner and the Rockets who are focusing solely on the 含羞草研究社楾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.
含羞草研究社淓verybody knows how big the games are and they only get bigger as the year progresses,含羞草研究社� said Gardiner, who is on a 15-game point scoring streak for the Rockets.
含羞草研究社淲e know if we play our game, we can play with any team in the league. Everett is obviously a very good team, we含羞草研究社檒l need to make the most our chances because against them, we likely won含羞草研究社檛 get too many.含羞草研究社�
The Rockets and Silvertips couldn含羞草研究社檛 have been much better matched in the first three meetings this season.
Kelowna won twice in overtime, while the 含羞草研究社楾ips lone victory was also by a single goal.
Like Gardiner, Rockets含羞草研究社� head man Jason Smith said facing one of the league含羞草研究社檚 top teams with so much on the line is an exciting challenge for his club.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a great challenge against a team that含羞草研究社檚 played well all year, we含羞草研究社檝e had some real good games with them so far,含羞草研究社� said Smith, whose club has won seven straight games.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a big game for us as a group, against one of the better teams in the league. We含羞草研究社檙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.含羞草研究社�
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.
