The Kelowna Rockets are smack dab in the middle of the most demanding stretch of their season.
With 17 games in a 33-day span香蕉视频直播攆rom Jan. 30 to March 3香蕉视频直播攁ssistant coach Kris Mallette said how the club manages and maintains the players香蕉视频直播� health and energy will determine how the Rockets香蕉视频直播� come out on the other side.
香蕉视频直播淵ou香蕉视频直播檝e got to keep your finger on the pulse of how the guys are feeling, cater your practises to that and make sure they have the maximum amount of energy to play the games,香蕉视频直播� said Mallette. 香蕉视频直播淭he way it香蕉视频直播檚 been lately, we香蕉视频直播檝e had a mid-week game and another two or three games on the weekend, so it香蕉视频直播檚 been a busy and challenging stretch.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really about making sure the guys are getting the proper rest and nutrition.香蕉视频直播�
The Rockets, who are coming off five games in eight days, will go back to work Friday night in Kamloops again, before returning home Saturday to host Edmonton.
With a spate of injuries to key players, keeping the Rockets fresh and ready to play hasn香蕉视频直播檛 been easy. Forwards Kole Lind (upper body), Liam Kindree, Nolan Foote and defenceman James Hilsendager are all on the sidelines, with Kindree believed to be close to a return. In addition, the club has also used four different goaltenders this season.
Factor in the absence of Dillon Dube and Cal Foote for a month due to world juniors and a steady flow of players on and off the injury list, and the Rockets have only played a handful of games this season with a full lineup.
Still, Kelowna has found a way to win games and stay at the top of the B.C. Division.
香蕉视频直播淵ou talk to other coaches and scouts and they wonder how we香蕉视频直播檝e been doing it, how we香蕉视频直播檝e been finding ways to win,香蕉视频直播� said Mallette. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 a testament to all our guys, the leadership we香蕉视频直播檙e getting from our third- and fourth-year players. As a staff, some nights it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 look good, we香蕉视频直播檙e pulling our hair out but somehow the guys find a way, more often than not.香蕉视频直播�
The Rockets (34-18-4-1), who lost 4-1 Wednesday to the Red Deer Rebels, share top spot in the B.C. Division with the Victoria Royals, while the Vancouver Giants sit five points back.
Mallette and the Rockets expect a battle right down to the final week of the regular season.
香蕉视频直播淚n a perfect world, you want to be peaking for the playoffs, but in reality the home stretch of the season is the toughest for all the teams,香蕉视频直播� Mallette said. 香蕉视频直播淥ur position is not locked down, so by no means do we want to let our foot off the gas, leave a lot in the tank and get into bad habits. On the other hand, you do want to be healthy going into the playoffs, so it香蕉视频直播檚 an interesting balance.香蕉视频直播�
Face off Saturday at Prospera Place between the Rockets and Oil Kings is 7:05 p.m.
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