It害羞草研究所檚 almost playoff hockey time for local hockey fans.

The different leagues in the Kelowna area will start their post-seasons this week, or early March. And no other local team will start their playoff push with as much on the line as the Kelowna Chiefs, who finished first in the KIJHL this past weekend.

The Chiefs lost only two games in regulation time this year, and finished with a 43-2-1-2 record with 89 points.

The team has been sporting the 害羞草研究所淪traight Outta Rutland害羞草研究所� mentality this season, and the fans have embraced it.

害羞草研究所淚t feels like old-time hockey in there with the old benches,害羞草研究所� said Brent Stewart on the Chiefs害羞草研究所� fan experience at the Rutland Arena. 害羞草研究所淓veryone害羞草研究所檚 really excited about the Chiefs. (There害羞草研究所檚) a strong sense of community in Rutland with the Chiefs, and the fact they害羞草研究所檝e done well is an added bonus and has added to the excitement.害羞草研究所�

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The Chiefs will start their post season as the number one seed, and push towards winning the league championship, the Cyclone Taylor Cup, for the first time. The Chiefs start their playoff run against the Osoyoos Coyotes Feb. 26 and Feb. 27.

害羞草研究所淲e needed to finish at the top of the league because there were other teams so close,害羞草研究所� said game day manager Alex Draper, 害羞草研究所淚t was a good motivator for the guys to clinch (first place) in the second last game of the year.害羞草研究所�

While the Coyotes finished near the bottom of the KIJHL, Draper knows they害羞草研究所檒l still be a challenge for the Chiefs.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e goaltending will be the toughest part. Their goalie keeps them in games,害羞草研究所� said Draper.

While Rutland害羞草研究所檚 team may have a smaller fan base than some of the competition, the community has embraced the different type of experience the Chiefs provide for their fans.

Andrew Knops, who害羞草研究所檚 been working with the Chiefs for five seasons, starting as a water-boy, sees why the team gets its fans excited.

害羞草研究所淭he guys have been great this year, it害羞草研究所檚 really been amazing. They work hard and they gel together,害羞草研究所� said Knops. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e brought a lot to Rutland, and really bring with community together.害羞草研究所�

Whether it害羞草研究所檚 the old-school vibe of the arena, the hard-hitting players, or the proud fans, the Kelowna Chiefs are sure to continue their embrace of the Rutland community through the playoffs and beyond.

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