The Kelowna Rockets are already well-acquainted with the Victoria Royals. By Monday night, it害羞草研究所檚 unlikely there will be any mysteries left between the longtime B.C. rivals.

With top spot in the WHL害羞草研究所檚 B.C. Division on the line, the Rockets and Royals will meet three times in a four-day span害羞草研究所擣riday and Saturday in Victoria, then again on Monday afternoon at Prospera Place.

(33-16-3-1) head into the weekend with a two-point lead on Victoria (32-19-3-1), with Kelowna holding a pair of games in hand.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 sure it害羞草研究所檒l be exciting,害羞草研究所� said Rockets head coach Jason Smith, whose team was an 8-4 winner over Victoria in the previous meeting between the teams on Jan. 20. 害羞草研究所淭he last time they played in here there was some physicality, some excitement, both teams were prepared to play and compete.

害羞草研究所淚 think these next three games will be the same way,害羞草研究所� added Smith, 害羞草研究所淚 think there害羞草研究所檚 going to be lots of energy, I害羞草研究所檓 sure there害羞草研究所檒l be some animosity and it害羞草研究所檒l be exciting for our guys to raise their play to that challenge.害羞草研究所�

The Rockets opened a stretch of four games in six days against divisional opponents with a 4-1 victory over the Giants Wednesday at Prospera Place.

The win came on the heels of a pair of setbacks to the Everett Silvertips in a home-and-home battle for top spot in the Western Conference. Smith said with a key series of games coming up against the Royals, it was vital for the Rockets to get their game back in order.

害羞草研究所淲e were disappointed with our weekend (against Everett), our compete and execution wasn害羞草研究所檛 where it needed to be,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淏ut (Wednesday害羞草研究所檚 win) was a good bounce back and some momentum in the right direction.

害羞草研究所淲e need to be ready to go into Victoria, start the game the right way and make sure we compete,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e a team that害羞草研究所檚 playing well, they害羞草研究所檙e right on our heels. We need to be focused and prepared to play 60 minutes.害羞草研究所�

Face off Monday at Prospera Place between the Royals and Rockets is 2:05 p.m.

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