At the end of last month, the slumping Kelowna Rockets didn91裸聊视频檛 look like a serious threat to overtake either the Prince George Cougars or Kamloops Blazers.
But thanks to a nice kickstart to February91裸聊视频攕ix wins in seven games91裸聊视频擩ason Smith91裸聊视频檚 club has both B.C. Division rivals taking a peek over their shoulders.
Heading into last night91裸聊视频檚 action, the Rockets (33-20-4-0) had moved to within eight points of the Cougars for top spot, and were just four in arrears of Kamloops for second place. Kelowna also has two games in hand on the Blazers.
On Jan. 31, having lost five times in a six-game span, Kelowna was a distant 17 points out of first and nine behind Kamloops.
Instrumental in the surge was a two-game sweep of the hometown Cougars on Feb. 3 and 4, and most recently a come-from behind win over the red-hot Seattle Thunderbirds Monday at Prospera Place.
After a tough stretch of hockey with few positive results, Smith likes the way his club has responded through the first two weeks of February.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e making progress, and that91裸聊视频檚 part of what really growing as a team is,91裸聊视频� said Smith. 91裸聊视频淵ou go through a little adversity and things aren91裸聊视频檛 going well, it91裸聊视频檚 about how you got from there and what you do next time you91裸聊视频檙e on the ice.91裸聊视频�
The Rockets didn91裸聊视频檛 exactly have their 91裸聊视频楢91裸聊视频� game through two periods Wednesday night against Seattle, but erupted with four unanswered third-period goals for a 6-3 win and two crucial points in the B.C. Division race.
Nick Merkley, who had a goal and two assists in the victory, said the Rockets91裸聊视频� ability to rise to the challenge against a team of the Thunderbirds91裸聊视频� quality is a promising sign.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 good to see that, see the character in the room, us come together as a team in the third and get the win,91裸聊视频� said Merkley. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a pretty special group in there. Hopefully we can carry that forward.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e a good team, they play a good team game and they compete,91裸聊视频� Smith added, referring to the Thunderbirds who had won 11 of their last 12 games prior to Wednesday. 91裸聊视频淪o to battle back from being down and leave with a win is definitely nice.91裸聊视频�
Calvin Thurkauf scored twice in the win over Seattle to push his team-leading goal total to 27. Carsen Twarynski also scored against the Thunderbirds, his first goal as a Rocket since coming over last month in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen.
The Rockets will continue their four-game homestand Friday when they host the Spokane Chiefs.
On Saturday, Prince George makes its second to last stop of the season at Prospera Place. Face-off both nights is 7:05 p.m.
