(Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)

By Regan Bartel

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The intensity in the building felt different Wednesday night.

It had the pace, the physical play and the emotion of a playoff game long before the playoffs actually began.

And for the Kelowna Rockets, the result may have been just as important.

Kelowna earned a 5-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs, extending their home winning streak to seven games while snapping Spokane’s six-game run. Just as significant in the standings, the victory pushed the Rockets into sole possession of third place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the idle Prince George Cougars.

Associate coach Don Hay said the atmosphere felt like a preview of what may be coming.

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“It did feel like a playoff game,” Hay said afterward. “We might be playing these guys in the playoffs, so it was really important. They’re a good club. They have three good lines, a fourth line that gives them energy, and a good group of defensemen. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last ten games.”

The Rockets wasted little time establishing control.

Kelowna jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period and pushed that advantage to 4-1 just eight minutes into the second.

A key moment came just 45 seconds into the second period.

Following a heavy hit in the corner, the puck was moved quickly into the slot, where Keith McInnis buried the chance to extend the lead.

“That was a really important goal,” Hay said. “We had a big hit in the corner, and then the puck got out to McInnis, and he scored right away. That kind of set the tone for us.”

Kelowna got into penalty trouble in the third period, including d-man Nate Corbet receiving a five-minute major for a check to the head. The Chiefs scored late with the man-advantage to make it a two-goal game.

“I thought we did a good job killing penalties,” Hay said. “Even though they got one, I thought the guys really dug in and paid the price.”

Offensively, several players delivered big nights.

Tij Iginla led the way with a goal and two assists, continuing to drive Kelowna’s attack as the regular season winds down.

Carson Wetsch added a goal and an assist while Vojtech Cihar quietly produced a three-assist performance, helping generate chances throughout the night.

Goaltender Harrison Boettiger made sure Spokane didn’t totally rally back. The rookie made a breakaway stop while the Chiefs were shorthanded, to keep it a two-goal differential.

“That was a big save,” Hay said. “If that goes in and it’s 4-3, it’s a race to the finish. I thought Boettiger was really good tonight.”

Boettiger finished the night with 32 saves, including 16 in the third period alone.

The third period was also complicated by a series of penalties that disrupted the flow of the game and forced the Rockets to juggle their bench.

“Some players got a lot of ice time, and others didn’t get much because of the penalties and when they happened,” Hay said. “It was that kind of game.

“I thought the last four or five minutes we did a pretty good job not giving them much,” Hay said.

For the Rockets, the victory continued a turnaround at home, where the team is now 9-0-1-0 in its last ten home ice dates.

“I know early in the year we were disappointed in some of the outcomes here,” Hay said. “There were games we played well and deserved a better fate, and other games where we didn’t play well. That probably hurt us in the standings a little bit.”

Now, the Rockets are feeding off the building.

“I think the guys have confidence right now,” Hay said. “We’ve had great fans here. They really get into it. I just love the emotion and energy in the game, not only from the fans but from the players. It’s an intense, playoff-type atmosphere.”

For Kelowna, the next step is clear.

“I think moving ahead is really important right now,” Hay said. “It would be great to get home ice advantage. That’s the next step in our progression.”

The Rockets will not have much time to enjoy the win.

They still have eight games remaining and a demanding schedule ahead, including matchups with Vancouver and Victoria, two teams fighting desperately for a playoff spot.

“It’s a challenging week,” Hay said. “But this is a great way to start it.”