The semifinals of the Veteran’s Memorial Cup Playoffs begin Friday night with four teams left standing.

The Motor City Monarchs swept the Michigan Ice Dogs last weekend and host the Detroit Fighting Irish, who swept their first-round matchup with the Alpena Flyers. The Traverse City Hounds, who earned a first-round bye after finishing first overall, host the Soo Firehawks after the Firehawks went on the road as the sixth seed and swept the No. 3 seed Decatur Blaze last weekend.

All series are best-of-three and are held at the home rink of the highest-seeded team.

The Hartland Hounds won the inaugural Veteran’s Memorial Cup in 2013 and repeated in 2014 as the Traverse City Hounds.

Here is a primer of the two semifinal series.

TRAVERSE CITY HOUNDS (1) vs. SOO FIREHAWKS (6)

All games at Centre ICE – Traverse City, Mich.

Friday, March 20 – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 21 – 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 22 (if necessary) – 1 p.m.

Season series: The Hounds went 7-0-1 against the Firehawks, with the Soo’s lone win coming in overtime back on Jan. 23.

Keys to Traverse City winning the series: “The week off was good and bad at the same time. It was good for the players to get a few days off and rest, but on the other hand, the teams that played didn't get any rest and are a step ahead of us. The Soo is an experienced, older team with guys that have been in the playoffs before, so it's going to be a good series. We need to play our standard game and pass around teams and use our speed.” – Hounds’ head coach Jacek Wilk

Keys to Soo winning the series: "I think at this point of the year, most teams’ players, coaches and owners are all either ready for the season to be done or they are completely focused on the postseason. For us, it's no question we are focused. We are taking this all in and have all intentions of playing as long as we can. We are a very dangerous team right now due to chemistry and confidence. Can't wait until Friday. Hockey is the only thing on our teams’ mind and it doesn't matter what team we are playing, they will for sure get our very best.” – Firehawks’ head coach Joe Esson

Fun fact: These two teams met in the Veteran’s Memorial Cup championship series in 2014, with the Hounds winning in three games.

MOTOR CITY MONARCHS (2) vs. DETROIT FIGHTING IRISH (4)

Friday, March 20 – 7 p.m. at Jack Adams Ice Arena, Detroit, Mich.

Saturday, March 21 – 8:15 p.m. at Fraser Hockeyland, Fraser, Mich.

Sunday, March 22 (if necessary) – 2:40 p.m. at Fraser Hockeyland, Fraser, Mich.

Season series: Monarchs were 5-3 this season against Detroit, but only outscored the Fighting Irish 36-31 in those eight games.

Keys to Motor City winning the series: “The Irish have a lot of speed, skill and toughness that we have to get prepared for. Our key to winning will be in our willingness to place pucks on net and crash with a purpose. I believe that my guys will be ready to play and bring the intensity needed to move on. It's going to be a great one.” – Monarchs’ head coach Jason McCrimmon

Keys to Detroit winning the series: “The Irish and the Monarchs is great for junior hockey in the Detroit area and the hockey gods couldn't have set up a better matchup in the playoffs. We know the Monarchs will be well-prepared in all areas of the game offensively and defensively. Our focus doesn't change at all. We have to remain disciplined and stay out of the penalty box while concentrating on puck movement and taking high-percentage shots in the red zone. As in any playoff at any level of the game, the emotional element is a huge factor and will call on our guys to rally around our veteran players.” – Fighting Irish head coach Dan Vasquez

Fun fact: Monarchs’ forward Anthony Wojciechowski, defenseman Jarrad Vroman and goaltender Tyler Skulley all spent the 2013-14 season with the Fighting Irish.

All games this weekend will be available on www.fasthockey.com.