By design, the defending champion Kelowna Knights have been one of the worst teams in the SMJHL this season. With the core coming together for one powerhouse, dominant season, it was clear that this year would be all about rookies and the hardship that comes with that. Big losses, frustrating mistakes and the lack of success that normally turns fans away. But something is in the air in Kelowna lately and the last two games have shown a change in the teams' fortunes.

They say goaltending wins championships and despite the worst start for a goaltending duo in the SMJHL this season, the last two games have been incredible for Benjamin Blue-II. He turned aside 31 shots in the 2-0 shutout against Detroit and then followed up that performance with a 40 save performance in a 7-3 dismantling of Carolina. But goaltending isnt the only reason for the hot streak.

Building out from the back, the defense has shown big improvement this year with some key players really starting to move towards their potential. First rounder Leons Briedis may not have found the scoresheet, but his solid defensive play is really helping lock down the opposition and keep the high danger chances to a minimum. Defenceman Adriano Donini has been a beast of late, picking up a Goal and an Assist in the game against Carolina and Sebastien Weiss had four hits in the game against Carolina. Tomas Kalnocky matched Adriano in the Carolina game, also picking up a goal and an apple, while Patrick Toes matched their point totals with two goals.

For the forwards, the game against Detroit was all about solid transition play.  RW Gerry Atrick has really come alive this season and he led the way for the Kelowna forwards in the game against Detroit with a goal and a game rating in the 70s and then putting up a further three points in the next time out against Carolina. Despite an abysmal game in the defensive end, RW Petr Svoboda scored the other goal against Detroit.  Speaking about the Kelowna forward group would be impossible without mentioning Cian McFelter. This center has been one of the central figures of the "veteran" core, helping to mentor the new kids and showing Knight in and Knight out how to be a professional. He consistently leads the team towards respectability.  Cian Mcfelter certainly showed this against Carolina, putting up four points and earning First Star honours. Roboute Gouilliman also had himself a night against Carolina, putting up an assist, but mostly playing a very responsible defensive and transition game. 

It is not all perfect in Kelowna and some draft picks have not quite found their groove as of yet. Winger Duncan Mackenzie has been disappointing on the fourth line, with his hits per game dropping off and his game ratings consistently hovering around 50. All is not lost for the Power Forward however, as he is still very young and players in the mold of a Power Forward tend to have long development curves. He is starting to find the scoresheet occasionally, now up to 10 points on the season and adding his third goal of the season against Carolina.

Will Kelowna continue with the hot run of play and continue to improve as the playoffs approach? Probably not. But the games are not played on paper and as we all know, anything can happen on any given night. What we do know is that this team looks to be frighteningly dangerous in two years time.

@DarkCanuck29 GRADED! +5 TPE