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’t 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—regardless of the outcome of the Cougars’ last two games—the Rockets would clinch the division crown.
Still, it’s first things first for Gardiner and the Rockets who are focusing solely on the ‘Tips, 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.
“Everybody knows how big the games are and they only get bigger as the year progresses,” said Gardiner, who is on a 15-game point scoring streak for the Rockets.
“We know if we play our game, we can play with any team in the league. Everett is obviously a very good team, we’ll need to make the most our chances because against them, we likely won’t get too many.”
The Rockets and Silvertips couldn’t have been much better matched in the first three meetings this season.
Kelowna won twice in overtime, while the ‘Tips lone victory was also by a single goal.
Like Gardiner, Rockets’ head man Jason Smith said facing one of the league’s top teams with so much on the line is an exciting challenge for his club.
“It’s a great challenge against a team that’s played well all year, we’ve had some real good games with them so far,” said Smith, whose club has won seven straight games.
“It’s a big game for us as a group, against one of the better teams in the league. We’re 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.”
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.