The LaSalle Vipers are home to the Strathroy Rockets Wednesday in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The Vipers are trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since the middle of last month.
LaSalle is sixth in the Western Conference, while the Rockets are just one point behind them.
Head coach John Nelson says his team's play has improved over the past five games, despite recording just two wins.
"We've played hard, our compete level has been picking up and the message for tonight is that we can have all the systems that we want, but if we don't have compete level and we don't have the desire to get to the net and outwork teams, the systems and all that doesn't mean anything," says Nelson.
He's been happy with his team's effort over that span.
"That's one thing with our team that I keep applauding them on is their effort. They bring it every day. They're bringing it to practice, they're a real positive group and they're a group that feels that we're going to turn the corner here," says Nelson.
He says his team will also benefit from the return of defencemen Brad Vincent and Stefan Dobrich and forward Max Sieberer who have been out with injuries.
Nelson says this is an important game.
"We want to push the pace with Strathroy. They're a team that's on a roll. They've beaten Chatham and London in their last two games, which are big victories for them. They're coming into our barn, so we're going to push the pace on them, get pucks to the net and lock in on out-competing them," says Nelson.
Strathroy has won three in a row and four of its last five games.
Puck drop at the Vollmer Centre is set for 7pm.