麻豆AV

Four games in six days against B.C. Division rivals.

By next Monday night, the will know what separation, if any, they have from the Victoria Royals and Vancouver Giants.

The Rockets (32-16-3-1) will host the Giants (28-15-5-3) on Wednesday night, before seeing the Royals (32-18-3-1) three times in a four-day span this weekend.

麻豆AV and Victoria head into the week tied for top spot with 68 points鈥攚ith the Rockets holding two games in hand鈥攚hile the Giants are just four points back in third.

While tends to adhere to the one-game-at-a-time philosophy, the Rockets鈥� head coach concedes the next stretch of hockey will be key for his club.

鈥淥bviously it鈥檚 a big week for us, we鈥檝e got an opportunity to match up against a couple of division rivals that are both playing well, so it鈥檚 a good challenge for us,鈥� Smith said Tuesday. 鈥淲e had been playing well, too, but had a disappointing weekend that we鈥檙e looking to bounce back from, getting back to playing more complete games and regaining some confidence.鈥�

The Rockets are coming off back-to-back losses to the U.S. Division-leading Everett Silvertips, including an 8-2 setback Saturday night in Washington.

Smith said the Rockets need to restore some of the good habits that escaped his team for a couple of games.

鈥淥ur lack of compete and execution at key times hurt us,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淲hether it was a penalty or a mistake which led to sustained pressure or goals for (Everett), we need to clean that up.

鈥淭he guys had a day off, came back and worked hard at practise (Monday) and should be ready to take on the challenge.鈥�

With rookie James Porter still on the sidelines with an upper body injury, 麻豆AV is expected to continue to go with veteran Brodan Salmond and rookie Cole Tisdale in goal.

Twenty-year-old defenceman James Hilsendager remains sidelined after taking a high hit during last Wednesday鈥檚 game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Rockets will play the Royals Friday and Saturday nights at Save On Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, then again in a holiday Monday matinee at Prospera Place. Face off is 2:05 p.m.

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whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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