Rockets ready for new challenge

Kelowna Rockets are back in the Western Hockey League final for the first time in four years and the third time in franchise history.

The one difference, as they prepare for Friday's opening game against the Calgary Hitmen, the Rockets are not the team to beat.

In 2003, the Rockets took out Red Deer in six then two years later, dispatched the Brandon Wheat Kings in five.

This time, it's Calgary which owns home ice advantage and comes into the best-of-seven as the decided favourite.

Assistant Coach, Jeff Finley, says the Hitmen are fairly similar in make-up to the Vancouver Giants, the team the Rockets eliminated in six games to get this far.

"They have two very skilled lines. They have quick forwards and their defence is very good, much like Vancouver. They are great puck handlers, great at moving the puck and they all have good shots from the points," says Finley.

"It'll be the same game plan as against Vancouver. The strength of our team is the size and speed of our forwards. We feel we can wear a team down if we play in their end as much as possible, be physical, control the puck and make the team play defence as much as we can."

The Rockets were able to wear down Vancouver's defence, something which paid dividends, especially during games five and six.

The Hitmen are a perfect 12-0 in the playoffs, a stat not lost on the Rockets. Head coach Ryan Huska, says it'll be a challenge, but one the team is more than ready for.

"We're really looking forward to it. They're a very good team. We're going to have to play very good hockey. I know the guys are excited and up to the challenge," says Huska.

"They're the number one team in the league and they're that for a reason," adds forward Ian Duval, who spent two seasons in Calgary.

"They have good forwards, good D and good goal tending so, we just have to worry about our game. If we do that I think we'll have a good chance against these guys."

The Rockets were a very emotional group after capturing the Western Conference title in overtime Monday night.

Finley says it was an exciting feeling the players hope to be able to replicate again.

"The emotion and energy in the building was fantastic. I think it's something that will help us down the road to feel that feeling and want to do it again. I think our guys have done a good job at understanding we are not where we want to be. We have a much bigger goal."

The Rockets and Hitmen met twice during the regular season, both games coming in Calgary.

The Hitmen were 4-3 winners back in December before the Rockets bounced back with a 2-1 victory near the end of the regular season.

Game two in the series will be played Saturday night in Calgary before the clubs make the trip west for games three and four Monday and Wednesday night at Prospera Place.