TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Playoff hockey is back at Centre ICE.

After winning the Midwest Junior Hockey League’s regular-season title for the third straight year, the Traverse City Hounds earned a first-round bye for the first round of the Veteran’s Memorial Cup Playoffs.

This weekend, the Hounds will host the Soo Firehawks, the sixth seed that went on the road to Decatur, Ill., and upset the third-seed Decatur Blaze with a two-game sweep last weekend.

Hounds’ head coach Jacek Wilk isn’t taking the Firehawks lightly.

“The week off was good and bad at the same time,” said Wilk. “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.”

The Hounds went 7-0-1 against the Firehawks this season, with the Soo’s lone win coming in overtime back on Jan. 23. Overall, Traverse City finished 40-3-1-2.

That fact aside, Soo head coach Joe Esson has his squad ready for the Hounds. Ironically enough, these two teams met in the Veteran’s Memorial Cup championship series in 2014, with the Hounds winning in three games.

"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,” Esson said. “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.”

Game 1 is Friday at 7 p.m. with Game 2 going Saturday night at 7 p.m. as well. If a deciding Game 3 is needed, that game will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.

Traverse City forward Patrick Rogowski, who has played sparingly the past two months battling illness, is back to 100 percent and is ready to defend the Veteran’s Memorial Cup.

“I'm expecting to work as hard as I can every time I hit the ice,” Rogowski said. “It feels good to be able to breathe again.”

MWJHL Goaltender of the Year David Krejcik, who won the award for the second straight season, knows he only has a short time left in the league and wants to make the most of it.

“I think the Soo will be working hard, fighting for every puck and they will definitely do all they can to try to beat us,” said Krejcik. “We have to work even harder, be focused all game and play our game. This is my last year of juniors, so I try to enjoy every game, every practice. This season has been great. We have great fans and we have a lot of fun.”

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

Photo/Rich Meuser