Ten consecutive wins on home ice.

Perhaps the could be excused for being somewhat dubious about leaving Prospera Place behind for the next three weeks.

To the contrary, head coach Jason Smith said the WHL club is embracing the challenge of hopping on the bus this week for a demanding pre-Christmas tour against Prairie opponents.

乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 no worry from our group,乌鸦传媒� Smith said of leaving home ice until Dec. 27. 乌鸦传媒淵ou look at the schedule at the start of the season and you know there are going to be stretches like this. It乌鸦传媒檚 a chance for the guys to get out on the road and be together as a team.

乌鸦传媒淲e went on a similar trip last year before Christmas and we did pretty well (5-2-0-0),乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚t was a good test for us and it will be again this year.乌鸦传媒�

The Rockets (17-8-2-1) will play six games in nine days against Eastern Division opponents, beginning Friday night in Regina against the host Pats.

Smith said the Rockets hope their recent success at home will translate into some positive results over the next week-and-a-half on the road.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 an opportunity to see if we can play some complete games on the road,乌鸦传媒� said Smith, whose Rockets are 11-3-0-1 at home and 6-5-2-0 on the road. 乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檝e made some progress in that regard, particularly at home, and now we乌鸦传媒檝e got six games in nine days to work on that away from home.乌鸦传媒�

With four games in six days to kick off the trip乌鸦传媒攊ncluding two sets of back-to-backs乌鸦传媒擲mith said the Rockets乌鸦传媒� mental and physical stamina will be challenged.

乌鸦传媒淭he guys will have to manage their time the best they can, try to get the proper rest, manage their recovery and just be prepared to play every night the best way possible,乌鸦传媒� he said.

On Wednesday morning, three Rockets will be candidates to be named to the Canadian junior team乌鸦传媒檚 selection camp beginning next week in St. Catharines乌鸦传媒擠illon Dube, Kole Lind and Cal Foote.

Regardless of whether one or all three make the grade, Smith said the Rockets must adjust accordingly.

乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 all part of it, you can have several guys gone at one time like we did last year, and you just have to deal with it day by day,乌鸦传媒� said Smith.

乌鸦传媒淭he more guys who are away, the more opportunities it gives the other players to step up and contribute.乌鸦传媒�

Following Friday乌鸦传媒檚 game, the Rockets will visit Brandon on Saturday, Moose Jaw next Tuesday and Swift Current on Wednesday, Dec. 13. After playing in Prince Albert Friday, Dec. 15, Kelowna will close out the trip the next night in Saskatoon.

The Rockets乌鸦传媒� next home action is Wednesday, Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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