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乌鸦传媒檛 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乌鸦传媒攔egardless of the outcome of the Cougars乌鸦传媒� last two games乌鸦传媒攖he Rockets would clinch the division crown.
Still, it乌鸦传媒檚 first things first for Gardiner and the Rockets who are focusing solely on the 乌鸦传媒楾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.
乌鸦传媒淓verybody knows how big the games are and they only get bigger as the year progresses,乌鸦传媒� said Gardiner, who is on a 15-game point scoring streak for the Rockets.
乌鸦传媒淲e know if we play our game, we can play with any team in the league. Everett is obviously a very good team, we乌鸦传媒檒l need to make the most our chances because against them, we likely won乌鸦传媒檛 get too many.乌鸦传媒�
The Rockets and Silvertips couldn乌鸦传媒檛 have been much better matched in the first three meetings this season.
Kelowna won twice in overtime, while the 乌鸦传媒楾ips lone victory was also by a single goal.
Like Gardiner, Rockets乌鸦传媒� head man Jason Smith said facing one of the league乌鸦传媒檚 top teams with so much on the line is an exciting challenge for his club.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a great challenge against a team that乌鸦传媒檚 played well all year, we乌鸦传媒檝e had some real good games with them so far,乌鸦传媒� said Smith, whose club has won seven straight games.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a big game for us as a group, against one of the better teams in the league. We乌鸦传媒檙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.乌鸦传媒�
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.
