After a three-week rest from competitive action, the Westlock Senior ‘AA’ Warriors are rested and healthy for their semifinal playoff series.
Because of a nearly undefeated regular season, the Warriors secured first place in the North Central Hockey League and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.
“We’ve been getting as much practice ice as we can, just getting the skates in and running our systems,” coach Joe Kuhar said.
“That’s what we’ve been up to the for the past three weeks to keep ourselves in game shape.”
The semifinal series will start up this weekend, with the Warriors playing at the Rotary Spirit Centre on Saturday night — but who they will play was still up in the air as of press time.
The third-place Devon Barons won their series against the sixth-place Edson Ice in three straight, and likewise the fourth-place Whitecourt Wild beat the fifth-place Rocky Rams in three straight.
The second-place Morinville Kings were leading their series 2-1 against the Slave Lake Winterhawks going into last weekend but a Friday-night game was cancelled and the league awarded the series to Morinville.
The Winterhawks have appealed that decision, which is why it’s unclear who the Warriors will face, but assuming the league’s decision stands — which Kuhar said is likely given time constraints — the Warriors will face Whitecourt in the semifinals this weekend.
While he’s confident they’ll overcome their opponents, he noted the Warriors have had trouble with the Wild in the past.
“Our only regulation loss this year was against Whitecourt, and that’s who we’re going to be facing,” he said.
“They’re a tough and physical team and that can always pose some problems.”
Kuhar said the fact the Warriors are all well-rested and healthy gives him a lot of confidence they will come out on top, but nonetheless hopes for a big home crowd on Saturday.
“It’s huge. Any one of the guys that play on the team that come on to the ice at home feels that crowd, feels that intensity and feels that excitement,” the coach said. “It gives them a jump in their game.”
