As far as Robert Dirk is concerned, the playoffs have already begun for the Penticton Lakers.
In reality, the Lakers play their final Kootenay International Junior Hockey League regular season game Feb. 19 in Kelowna.
A 5-1 defeat against the Osoyoos Coyotes on Jan. 20 gave Dirk the sense that playoff hockey has begun. The Lakers recently defeated the Princeton Posse, who they face on Wednesday, 3-2 and on Sunday whipped the Coyotes 8-2 in a heated tilt with three fights.
“There is a definite rivalry and a growing dislike between the teams,” said Dirk. “It’s great for hockey and great for the league. I don’t want to see it get carried too far.”
There was even heated exchanges between goalies Cole Buckley of the Coyotes and Austin Buzzell, but Dirk had no comment on that.
What Dirk was happy to talk about was the big win his team earned.
“It was arguably our best game of the year,” he said. “Guys were focused and carried out the game plan very well.”
For a team averaging 3.32 goals per game, the lowest in their division, Dirk was pleased to see his players light the lamp. He was also thrilled with the goaltending he received from Jesse Gordichuk and Buzzell.
A personal highlight for the Lakers in the win against Osoyoos was captain J.R. Krolik scoring his first junior B goal. Dirk described him as a “warrior, heart and soul of the team.”
Krolik has gone through tough times with injuries and this season has played just two games. Dirk admitted that Krolik is playing hurt now.
“That shows you the heart this kid has,” said Dirk, who was happy to see Krolik score.
At this stage in the season, the Lakers need Krolik. There is a tight race for four teams in the Okanagan for the playoff race. Five points separate first from fourth and the Lakers are two points behind the Coyotes for first. Against the Princeton Posse, Dirk is said goaltending and specialty teams will be key. The Lakers have the best penalty kill in the league at 87.5 per cent. Their power play is ranked 14 of 20 working 14.7 per cent of the time.