The Kootenay Ice are in Edmonton tonight, searching to end a three-game losing streak.

It’s their worst such 2string since going through a four-game skid back in October.

Centre Steele Boomer hopes having had a couple of fruitful practices since Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes will help.

“We’re just trying to regroup and start over, I guess,” said the 19-year-old. “The only way we’re going to get out of this slump is by working hard and getting back to the simple things.”

Like the Hurricanes, tonight’s opponent won’t be participating in the upcoming playoffs. Boomer said it’s vital his club beats the Oil Kings, particularly with the Red Deer Rebels surging in the standings.

“They’ve been nipping at our heels here for fourth place and home-ice advantage,” he said. “Every point is important, and we’ve got them twice still after Edmonton. I think two points against Edmonton would be huge for us and it’s important that we do get them.”

Including tonight, the fourth-place Ice (39-22-3-2) have a half dozen games left in the regular season. The Rebels have a game in hand, and trail by three points.

The Oil Kings (16-37-4-9) made the post season for the first time in the club’s modern history last year, but they won’t be making it two in a row.

The Ice, in comparison, will be partaking in the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season. They confirmed that with a win in Medicine Hat a week and a half ago.

Coincidence or not, Kootenay hasn’t managed another win since.

“Everyone’s pretty excited for playoffs,” said Boomer, who scored the winning goal against the Tigers. “I think maybe we’re looking a bit too far ahead and not focusing on the task at hand.”

That was evident last Saturday, when the Ice struggled in front of a packed Rec Plex and allowed the Hurricanes to skate away with their 10th road win of the year.

The Ice players held a lengthy post-game meeting after the demoralizing loss. Boomer said the message was a reminder that the team wants to be performing its best by the time playoffs start in a couple of weeks.

“When we were successful, we were doing good things and getting pucks deep and everyone was buying in,” he said. “As of late we’ve gotten a bit away from that.”

The Ice will be trying for their 40th win of the season tonight.

Kootenay’s previous two efforts in the Alberta capital this season have resulted in victories. And although Boomer hails from Edmonton, the thought of playing at Rexall Place doesn’t excite him.

“It’s nice to get to see your family and stuff, but the atmosphere in that arena is always so bad. It’s such a big building with such a low attendance that’s it’s tough to get energy going, especially on the road.”

NOTE — Medicine Hat has become the latest Eastern Conference team to sew up a playoff spot. Currently in sixth place with 78 points, they clinched last night when the Calgary Hitmen blanked the Prince Albert Raiders… Ninth-place P.A. has 65 points, seven back of the Swift Current Broncos.