WATCH: What do the Rockets need for playoff success?

A few fans stood huddled outside the Kelowna Rockets tickets office Thursday morning – a clear sign playoffs are just around the corner.

The Rockets will wrap up their regular season this weekend, ahead of a bout against the the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round.

The T-birds took the season series 3-1, which included a 4-3 loss on March 1, in Seattle. The Rockets only win against the team came on Feb. 27 through a 4-3 win on the road.

Head Coach Kris Mallette told Kelowna10 creating good habits and focusing on details has been key.

“I worked them hard this week to try and recognize how much of a grind it’s going to be,” he said. “I think for us worrying about what we control and playing in our system is going to be the biggest key, because we’re in for a battle coming up.”

Mallette said staying out of the penalty box will be one of the keys if they want to be successful against a physical and skilled team.

“We got to play aggressive, we got to play disciplined. I think that’s going to be the biggest key for us is not get caught up in the moment. Enjoy it, but control our emotions,” he said. “They got a strong power play and we just got to make sure that we’re ready to go.”

Defenceman Jake Lee, the only skater on the roster with playoff experience, said he’s been getting his team ready for what to expect.

“Playoffs in junior are a lot different than minor hockey. About 95 per cent of our guys haven’t seen playoffs here,” he said. “Throughout the year, I’ve been trying to get on them about how we have to play and the style we got to do to have success in playoffs.”

The playoffs also mark the final stretch for the 20-year-olds in the league playing their final games.

Lee is one of the Rockets’ three overage players and is excited for the next couple of games.

“It’s a wild feeling, but it’s exciting at the same time. It’s the last kick at the can and I’ll be giving it everything I got, and I know that the boys will be giving everything they got for me and the other 20s.”

Game 1 of the Rockets playoff journey begins Friday, April 22, in Seattle. Game 3 at home will be Tuesday, April 26.