Rockets, Blazers, again

Nearly a year ago, Tomas Soustal banged home a rebound 7:07 into overtime, broke free from his teammates, skated to centre ice, dove, and swam toward his blueline.

It was game seven of the Rockets first round playoff series with the Kamloops Blazers, and a moment surely engrained in the memory banks of players on both teams.

That moment only added to the bitter rivalry which seems to grow each passing year, and game, between the teams two hours, and two highways apart.

It will surely only heighten the tension as the Rockets and Blazers get set to add another chapter when they open the best-of-seven first round series tonight at Prospera Place.

While the Rockets have had the better of the rivalry over the past five seasons (26-9-1-0), the Blazers tipped the scales this season.

Thanks in no small part to all-star goaltender Connor Ingram, the Blazers won six of the 10 games played between the two teams this season.

Although he saw action in just four of the 10 games, Ingram posted a 3-1 record including a shutout.

However, the Rockets did get to him late in the season, firing six pucks past him in an 8-2 win in Kamloops.

"We know Ingram is a good goalie, but we can't think he's unbeatable," said Rockets MVP Calvin Thurkauf.

"The last time we played them, we scored six times on him. He's not the best goalie we've played against. If we play our game, and if we play our system, we should be able to win the series."

Leading scorer Kole Lind says at times this season, he believes Ingram got into their heads a bit based on last year's series, but says they may have figured some things out during that lopsided win last month.

"He's going to make brilliant saves, and we know that, but we have to keep firing pucks, and get second and third chances," said Lind.

The Rockets come into the series the hottest team in the Western Hockey League, winning 18 of their last 22 games.

Lind says the teams swagger is unbelievable right now. He says it reminds him of the way the team carried itself two seasons ago when it went all the way to the Memorial Cup.

For Lucas Johansen, he says the stretch proved the team could be a contender, but added the Blazers won't be a pushover.

"It's going to be a good test for us," he said.

"They're a good team and they showed they can beat us this year. It's going to be a war out there."

Games 1 and 2 are set for Prospera Place Friday and Saturday with Games 3 and 4 next Tuesday and Wednesday up in Kamloops.