At the end of January, the Kelowna Rockets香蕉视频直播� prospects of a B.C. Division title looked grim, at best.

A month later, Jason Smith香蕉视频直播檚 club is breathing down the necks of both the Prince George Cougars and Kamloops Blazers.

With 11 wins in its last 14 games香蕉视频直播攁nd eight games remaining香蕉视频直播擪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香蕉视频直播檚 recent surge in the standings should make for an interesting final two weeks of the regular season.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 close, it香蕉视频直播檚 a competitive division,香蕉视频直播� said Smith, the Rockets香蕉视频直播� first-year head coach. 香蕉视频直播淓very game has got meaning from now until the end of the year.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檒l see where it all falls when we香蕉视频直播檙e done eight games from now, but the guys in the room are excited about the way we香蕉视频直播檙e playing and the way we香蕉视频直播檙e competing.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播攂oth at the potential of a division title and the start of the postseason.

The most immediate task, said Herringer, is the Rockets香蕉视频直播� visit to Everett tonight to take on the U.S. Division-leading Silvertips.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 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,香蕉视频直播� said Herringer, who made 26 stops Wednesday to lead the Rockets to a 5-1 win over the Cougars at Prospera Place.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 the best time of the year and we香蕉视频直播檙e all really excited about it but at the same time it香蕉视频直播檚 the next game that香蕉视频直播檚 most important.香蕉视频直播�

Working in the Rockets香蕉视频直播� favour over the last several weeks has been a mostly full and healthy lineup, a rarity for WHL teams this late in the season.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been good,香蕉视频直播� Smith said of his team香蕉视频直播檚 recent good health. 香蕉视频直播淎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.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播�

Rockets defenceman Lucas Johansen this week signed a three-year entry level contract with the NHL香蕉视频直播檚 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.