The Kelowna Rockets are trying to extend their win streak to four games on Wednesday night when they take on the Victoria Royals.
The team is on a high note right now after downing Everett and Tri-City at Prospera Place before heading to Seattle to dump the Thunderbirds 5-1.
Head coach Jason Smith says the mood in the room is at a good level.
“The mood is pretty positive. We’ve put together three consecutive games where we did a lot of good things start to finish and now it’s about doing it again for a fourth game.”
Though the Rockets won 5-1 on Saturday, the powerplay was 0-for-2. When you combine that with the numbers from the games against Everett and Tri-City the Rockets went 2-for-11 with the man advantage last week. The Rockets bench boss says that’s one problem that should be addressed.
“We started a little slow but we managed to weather the storm and we got through their pressure off the start of the game, so we can learn from that” said Smith. “Also our powerplay execution has been struggling. We need to make sure we’re moving the puck and executing at a higher level which will get us better opportunities to score.”
Saturday was a big night for Rockets rookies Kyle Topping, and Jack Cowell. Both scored their first WHL goals of their careers, with Topping adding two more to complete his first career hat-trick.
“It’s great, I think any time you’re getting goals from everyone on your roster, as well as any offensive opportunity and output it builds confidence” Smith said. “The young guys did a real good job last game of stepping up and capitalizing on opportunities that they had and it’s a good step going forward.”
Wednesday’s matchup against the Victoria Royals is a divisional game for the Rockets. It’s the first regular season meeting between the two so they want to make sure they approach it properly.
“The biggest thing is going to be starting the game the right way. We have to play patient, play within our structure, and obviously capitalize on our opportunities” said Smith. “We have to make sure we’re getting pucks to the net, make sure we have bodies on the net creating traffic and just make sure we’re ready to go come game time.”
The Rockets head into Wednesday’s game with a 6-7-0-0 record that sits them fourth in the B.C. division, only two points back of second.
The Royals are one of two teams the Rockets are trailing by two points.
Victoria plays tonight in Kamloops before heading to Prospera Place.
The Royals enter tonight’s game against the Blazers with a 7-6-0-0 record that puts them two points ahead of Kelowna.
After Wednesday night the Rockets hit the road for back to back games in Portland on Saturday and Sunday night.
The Rockets next home game following Wednesday is Tuesday November 1st when the Rockets take on their closest rival, the Kamloops Blazers.
Tickets for all home games are available through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.