By Doyle Potenteau

Win today and we walk together forever. It's an old saying in hockey, but one that has just as much meaning today as when it was first written.

Famously penned by Philadelphia Flyers head coach Fred Shero prior to Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup final against Boston, the quote is about inspiration and immortalizing effort. It's been used by coaches countless times since, including former Kelowna head coach Marc Habscheid, who recycled it during the Rockets' 2003 title run and 2004 Memorial Cup championship.

In their first-round series against Seattle, the Rockets' version is more like this: Win today and you give yourself a chance.

Now, I'm sure, dear reader, you're thinking: You (insert unflattering term about columnist), give yourself a chance at what?

Well, how about a shot at equalling some WHL history?

If Kelowna wins tonight, then the Rockets will force Game 6 in Seattle on Tuesday. And the last time Kelowna was in Seattle, the Rockets put up a pretty good result in a 4-0 victory in Game 4. If the dominoes fall right, this could lead to Game 7 in Kelowna next Wednesday.

Of course, this is all if, if, if.

If Kelowna wins Game 5 tonight. If Kelowna wins Game 6 on Tuesday.

Fantasy? Maybe.

But had Kelowna been blown out by Seattle in Games 1, 2 and 3, this column would be about the Rockets' impending funeral, not about possibilities. They weren't blown out, though, as underscored by the fact those three games all went to overtime. Further, the Rockets played poorly in Games 1 and 2 and still had chances at winning.

That says something, though it must be said that the T-Birds were well-deserved winners in Games 1, 2 and 3. As for Game 4, as good as Kelowna was, Seattle was flat after taking a series of early penalties that handed the Rockets the lead for good.

"Mentally, we weren't ready and that's why we took those penalties. When you're taking penalties like that, you aren't working hard mentally. You also have to know the refs," Seattle coach Steve Konowalchuk said. "It was really apparent early that they were going to call a lot of stuff. We didn't adjust to that quick enough."

Konowalchuk added "It looked like we were a little emotionally drained (on Wednesday). We have to play with emotion. That team is too good for us to play without emotions, but we have to have it in check and not cross the line."

Now we get what should be a great game. Kelowna is in a must-win scenario, while Seattle is pressure free. Sort of.

With a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series, Seattle has some wiggle room in trying to eliminate Kelowna, but not a lot. Lose tonight, then again in Game 6, and it doesn't take a crystal ball in predicting what happens to teams that lose momentum.

Remember the 2004 Western Conference final? Kelowna had a 3-1 series lead against expansion Everett, then dropped the next three: 1-0 in overtime, 2-1 in overtime and 2-1 in overtime.

In 1996, Spokane rallied from a 3-0 deficit in its first-round series with Portland by winning the next four: 5-3, 5-0, 4-3 in double overtime and 4-3 in overtime. During the regular season, Spokane (50-18-4, 104 points) finished first in the West with 104 points, while Portland (30-39-3, 63 pts.) was sixth. It's not exactly equal to second-place Kelowna (52-16-3-1, 108 pts.) versus seventh-place Seattle (24-38-7-3, 58 pts.), but it's close enough for comparisons.

Are the Rockets in tough? Sure they are, especially when you consider they'll be missing six regulars out with injuries for tonight's game, while Seattle is relatively healthy. If the Rockets win today, though, then we got ourselves a series. And isn't that what playoff hockey is all about?

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