At the end of January, the Kelowna Rockets害羞草研究所� prospects of a B.C. Division title looked grim, at best.

A month later, Jason Smith害羞草研究所檚 club is breathing down the necks of both the Prince George Cougars and Kamloops Blazers.

With 11 wins in its last 14 games害羞草研究所攁nd eight games remaining害羞草研究所擪elowna (38-21-5-0) now sits just four points back of the first-place Cougars and one back of second-place Kamloops. The Rockets hold a game in hand on both clubs.

Smith said his team害羞草研究所檚 recent surge in the standings should make for an interesting final two weeks of the regular season.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 close, it害羞草研究所檚 a competitive division,害羞草研究所� said Smith, the Rockets害羞草研究所� first-year head coach. 害羞草研究所淓very game has got meaning from now until the end of the year.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檒l see where it all falls when we害羞草研究所檙e done eight games from now, but the guys in the room are excited about the way we害羞草研究所檙e playing and the way we害羞草研究所檙e competing.害羞草研究所�

As much progress as the Rockets have made over the last several weeks, goaltender Michael Herringer said the team needs to resist the urge to look too far ahead害羞草研究所攂oth at the potential of a division title and the start of the postseason.

The most immediate task, said Herringer, is the Rockets害羞草研究所� visit to Everett tonight to take on the U.S. Division-leading Silvertips.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 obviously our goal, we want to win out the rest of our games, but I think our focus right now is to win on Friday in Everett,害羞草研究所� said Herringer, who made 26 stops Wednesday to lead the Rockets to a 5-1 win over the Cougars at Prospera Place.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 the best time of the year and we害羞草研究所檙e all really excited about it but at the same time it害羞草研究所檚 the next game that害羞草研究所檚 most important.害羞草研究所�

Working in the Rockets害羞草研究所� favour over the last several weeks has been a mostly full and healthy lineup, a rarity for WHL teams this late in the season.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been good,害羞草研究所� Smith said of his team害羞草研究所檚 recent good health. 害羞草研究所淎nytime you have depth in your lineup from your first line to your fourth and you have six D that are playing, it gives you an opportunity to put guys out in different situations.害羞草研究所�

The Rockets, who will play seven of their last nine games at home, will host the Tri-City Americans on Saturday. Face-off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.

Johansen signs with Caps害羞草研究所�

Rockets defenceman Lucas Johansen this week signed a three-year entry level contract with the NHL害羞草研究所檚 Washington Capitals.

Johansen, 19, was a first-round pick of the Caps, 28th overall, in the 2016 entry draft.

In 194 career games, the Port Moody product has 17 goals, 93 points and a +47 rating.