In recent years, no two teams in the Western Conference are more familiar with the concept of going deep into the playoffs than the Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds.
On Friday in Kent, Wash., the clubs will go head-to-head for the second straight spring in the best-of-seven Western Hockey League semifinal series.
In 2016, the Thunderbirds swept , before losing to the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL final.
Two years ago, the Rockets won the league championship, then came within a single goal of securing a Memorial Cup title in Quebec City.
With both the Rockets and 害羞草研究所楤irds carrying an abundance of big-game experience, Rockets defenceman Devante Stephens expects the most composed of the two teams to move on to the WHL final.
害羞草研究所淭hese are two teams that know how to win, that害羞草研究所檚 for sure,害羞草研究所� said Stephens, 20, one of eight Rockets who appeared in the 2015 playoffs. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 going to be some adversity for both teams, that害羞草研究所檚 guaranteed.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 who deals with those situations and overcomes challenges the best that I think is going to win the series.害羞草研究所�
We're getting ready for the Western Conference Championship vs. Seattle! ! 馃殌馃悏
害羞草研究所� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
A year ago, when they met Seattle, the Rockets were admittedly out of gas after surviving back-to-back seven-game series wins over Kamloops and Victoria.
This spring, the Rockets needed just 11 games to advance to the third round and have had a full week off to rest and prepare. The Thunderbirds are also well rested after needing the minimum eight games to sweep past Tri-City and Everett.
Playing arguably their best hockey of 2016-17, the Rockets have won 20 of their last 24 games dating back to the regular season.
Compared to a year ago, Stephens said the Rockets are better equipped to take on the next challenge.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e playing as a team right now, the guys are all pulling together and that害羞草研究所檚 the big difference,害羞草研究所� Stephens said. 害羞草研究所淲hen we stay true to our systems and execute well, we can beat any team in the league.
害羞草研究所淭he guys were gassed,害羞草研究所� Stephens said of last year害羞草研究所檚 playoff run. 害羞草研究所淭his time, we害羞草研究所檝e had a nice break and lots of rest. We害羞草研究所檙e excited, focused and ready to go.害羞草研究所�
Stephens and his teammates will be paying special attention to Seattle害羞草研究所檚 big three of Matthew Barzal, Ryan Gropp and Keegan Kolesar who combined for 223 points during the regular season.
The Thunderbirds also expect to have their hands full with a talented and deep group of Rockets forwards, paced by Reid Gardiner, who shares the WHL playoff scoring lead with 22 points.
害羞草研究所淭hese are two pretty similar teams,害羞草研究所� said Seattle head coach Steve Konowalchuk. 害羞草研究所淭he (Rockets) are really deep up front, they have some high-end skill, so all four of our lines are going to have to be committed and be up to the challenge.
害羞草研究所淎ll six of our D are going to have to be ready to go and we害羞草研究所檙e going to commit to playing a 200-foot game. You have to at this time of year to be successful.害羞草研究所�
The Rockets will be without Cal Foote for the series opener, as the 18-year-old defenceman sits out the last of a three-game suspension for a check to the head penalty in Game 3 of the Portland series.
Carsen Twarynski returns to Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 lineup after being disciplined for one game for a boarding major in Game 4 against the 害羞草研究所楬awks.
Western Conference final
Friday, April 21害羞草研究所� Kelowna @ Seattle 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, April 22害羞草研究所擪elowna @ Seattle 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25害羞草研究所擲eattle @ Kelowna 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26害羞草研究所擲eattle @ Kelowna 7:35 p.m.
Friday, April 28害羞草研究所擪elowna @ Seattle 7:35 p.m.*
Sunday, April 30害羞草研究所擲eattle @ Kelowna 7:05 p.m.*
Tuesday, May 2害羞草研究所擪elowna @ Seattle 7:35 p.m.*
* If necessary
