Wins aren鈥檛 all the will be looking for heading into the final four games of the 鈥檚 regular season. Rylan Ferster would also like to see his club shifting its game into postseason mode.

鈥淚 just think you want everybody to be on the same page and all pulling in the same direction, playing your best hockey,鈥� said Ferster, whose club is coming off a 1-2 road trip to the coast.

鈥淚 know it鈥檚 a results business and we only went 1-for-3 this past weekend, but I thought overall we played fairly well.

鈥淗aving said that, we need to tighten up defensively, our team defense has to be better,鈥� he added. 鈥淥bviously special teams is also huge in playoffs, so we have to get our penalty kill in order, that has to be better as well.鈥�

The Warriors (26-26-1-1) will host the Island Division-leading Victoria Grizzlies (29-17-4-3) on Saturday, before closing out their home schedule Wednesday against the division rival Wenatchee Wild. Face off both nights at Royal LePage Place is 7 p.m.

鈥淏oth those games will be good tests for us, they鈥檙e very fast teams and play similar styles,鈥� Ferster said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have our hands full and it鈥檒l tell us where we鈥檙e at.鈥�

Getting into a rhythm this season has been a challenge for the Warriors have battled their share of injuries, enduring large stretches without several key forwards, including Matt Kowalski and Chase Stevenson. Now that they鈥檙e healthy again up front, the blueline has been hit hard with injuries to Stephen Kleysen, Cody Paivaranta and Garrett Ewart.

鈥淣o excuses, but it鈥檚 been a struggle all year with injuries,鈥� said Ferster. 鈥淚t鈥檚 unfortunate what鈥檚 happened with our defense, but that鈥檚 hockey and you have to find a way to battle through it.鈥�

Following Saturday鈥檚 game, the Warriors will hand out their annual player awards. In addition, Saturday鈥檚 game at Royal LePage has also been designated Faith Night, as local churches and faith-based organizations come together in celebration of the Warriors鈥� chapel program.

West 91大黄鸭 will will close out the regular campaign next weekend, Feb. 23 and 24, with back-to-back games against Interior Division rivals in Merritt and Salmon Arm.

The Warriors, currently fifth in the division, will play either Trail or Wenatchee in the opening round of the BCHL playoffs.

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whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
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