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The Seattle Thunderbirds almost never lose.
That's why they are the second-ranked team in the CHL.
But the first-round matchup doesn't phase the Kelowna Rockets.
The team worked hard at practice this week, but the attitude is relaxed.
"We have fun every day at the rink, and we get better," said winger Adam Kydd.
The fact that the team is not expected to win in the postseason, is a certain kind of motivator.
"We've kind of got that underdog mentality going in," said Kydd.
"We've got nothing to lose."
Kydd doesn't mind the prospect of facing Seattle.
"We know we're going to be playing a good team and we know we can beat them."
Coach Kris Mallette relishes the chance to take down Seattle.
"Our games have been relatively close, they really have," he points out.
"We understand they are a team that's built to win this year and our guys are able to get up for it."
And Mallette's squad proved they can match up well against some of the league's best in their recent clash with Kamloops.
"We were right there and able to force overtime," Mallette added. "I think our group is a confident group knowing that we've got nothing to lose."
He thinks this team is capable of surprising people.
"I believe that truly," he said.
"Our group may not be as skilled, but if we play to a certain identity, to our certain strengths then we're going to be fine."
And he said the players are in the mindset to win.
"They've got to be. That's my job to get them to prepare and believe that they are able to play with anyone."
The Rockets final regular season game is Saturday night when they host Vancouver.
In a rematch of last year's playoffs, the first-round match-up with Seattle begins in Kent, Washington Friday, Mar 31.
They play games three and four in the best-of-seven series in Kelowna on Apr 4 and 5.
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