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KW Siskins at Strathroy Rockets SATURDAY, 7:30 |
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This week’s matchup couldn’t have come at a more perfect time in the season. This will be a battle between two teams fighting for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The K-W Siskins and Strathroy Rockets have been evenly matched all season, with three of their games being decided by a single goal, two of which have gone in Strathroy’s favor. With both teams generating a strong rivalry all season, this has all the aspects of a playoff-like intensity in the regular season.
Season Recap and Form:
Heading into Friday’s games, the Siskins are sitting in 8th place with 52 points, currently in a playoff spot. They’ve been playing some strong hockey, with solid contributions from key players keeping them in contention for a spot in the postseason. The Strathroy Rockets, just one point behind at 9th place with 51 points, are on the outside looking in. This game is pivotal, as a victory could be enough to push them into
a playoff berth. Recently, the Rockets have been firing on all cylinders with some impressive performances.
Previous Meetings:
This season, all three matchups between the Siskins and Rockets have been tight affairs, with each one decided by just one goal. Strathroy has taken two of the three meetings, and given the rivalry that’s developed between these teams, expect another fiercely contested battle.
Players to Watch:
The Rockets will look to their leading scorer Brendan Gerber, a London Knights prospect who has been a standout in his past two games against the Siskins, tallying 4 points. And keep an eye on Jeremy Hirsh, who’s been red-hot lately, scoring 6 goals and adding 7 points in his last 4 games.
For the Siskins, rookie defenseman Devon Ferroni, will be crucial as he currently ranks second among GOJHL rookie defenseman with 32 points. His playmaking from the back end could prove pivotal in securing a playoff spot. New head coach Matt Doyle will also be hoping to guide the Siskins to victory in his first year at the helm, with the chance to secure a postseason berth hanging in the balance.
Keys to the Game:
These two teams have racked up the most penalty minutes in the league when facing each other this season, making special teams a massive factor. The Rockets have the league’s 11th best power play at 19.8% while the Siskins are ranked 15th at 18.1%. On the penalty kill, the Siskins hold the edge with an 83.6% success rate (8th), ahead of the Rockets who rank 17th at 17.5% With discipline the key to success in this matchup, both teams will need to stay out of the box and capitalize on power-play opportunities.
Don’t miss this crucial showdown between the Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins and Strathroy Rockets, as both
teams battle for a spot in the playoffs. Catch all the action live on Flo Hockey!
