For the first half of the season, top spot in the B.C. Division proved to be an elusive goal for the 害羞草研究所攗ntil their final game before the midseason break.
Heading into Christmas, the Rockets (20-11-3-1) and Victoria Royals (20-13-3-0) are deadlocked for the division lead, with Jason Smith害羞草研究所檚 club holding two games in hand.
Since going 5-5-1-1 over their first 12 games, the Rockets have raised their game to a new level the last two months, going 15-6-2-0.
害羞草研究所淚 think we害羞草研究所檝e done a lot of good things,害羞草研究所� said Smith, the Rockets害羞草研究所� head coach whose club is riding a 10-game home-ice winning streak. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e grown as a team and continue to get better. We害羞草研究所檙e getting contributions from some guys that maybe weren害羞草研究所檛 expected, and they害羞草研究所檙e showing improvement every day.
害羞草研究所淥ur young guys in goal (James Porter and Roman Basran) have done a real good job of stepping up. We害羞草研究所檙e playing more complete games. The coaching staff is excited we害羞草研究所檝e got the results we have and obviously we want to continue.
After starting their pre-holiday eastern tour at 1-3, the Rockets finished strong with a 7-3 win Friday in Prince Albert and a 5-1 victory Saturday in Saskatoon, both without the services of
害羞草研究所淲e started well in Regina, but then had trouble putting together complete games,害羞草研究所� said Smith, in his second season as Rockets害羞草研究所� head coach. 害羞草研究所淭owards the end of the trip, the guys buckled down and did a lot of really good things.害羞草研究所�
The Rockets害羞草研究所� last two victories coincided with Kole Lind害羞草研究所檚 return to the lineup. The 19-year-old forward, who was cut last Thursday from Canada害羞草研究所檚 national junior squad, scored a hat trick in Prince Albert, then followed up with three assists a night later in Saskatoon.
害羞草研究所淥bviously he was disappointed in being released but he didn害羞草研究所檛 allow the frustration of disappointment to carry over when he came back to our team,害羞草研究所� Smith said of Lind. 害羞草研究所淭he effect it had, I think, was a big motivator for him to just go out and play his game.
害羞草研究所淚t was disappointing for him but it害羞草研究所檚 important to understand it害羞草研究所檚 about the long haul in hockey, to continue bringing that compete and work ethic and earning that first pro contract.害羞草研究所�
Lind will no doubt be cheering for two of his teammates over the holidays. Dube and Foote will playing for Canada at the , beginning on Boxing Day in Buffalo.
The Rockets first action following Christmas is Wednesday, Dec. 27 at home to the Kamloops Blazers. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
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