And then there were two.

The top-seeded Traverse City Hounds and second-seed Motor City Monarchs kick off the MWJHL Veteran’s Memorial Cup finals tomorrow night at Centre ICE in Traverse City.

The Hounds have won the first two Veteran’s Memorial Cup titles, but realize getting that elusive third one will be a challenge.

“It's is going to be a great series and without a doubt, the two best teams in the league are playing for the championship,” said Hounds’ head coach Jacek Wilk. “If we stick to our game plan and play the way we played almost all season, we will be in good shape.”

Motor City’s Jason McCrimmon, the MWJHL Coach of the Year, is anxious for Friday night.

“We are prepared to play against a great team who has proven itself night in and night out throughout the season,” McCrimmon said. “I believe that our guys will be ready to match their skill, as well as play with toughness and determination to come out on the winning end of this series. We are looking forward to the matchup and I believe it will be a great showcase of what this league brings to the table.”

Traverse City earned a first-round bye after finishing the regular season first overall (40-3-1-2) and then swept the Soo Firehawks in the semifinals last weekend, while the Monarchs (33-13-0-0) swept the Michigan Ice Dogs in the first round and then eliminated the Detroit Fighting Irish in three games in the semifinals.

During the six regular-season matchups, the Hounds won five, while the expansion Monarchs took one game in a shootout.

“I’m definitely looking forward to this weekend, playing against my old team in the championship doesn’t get any better,” said Motor City forward Adam Jonak, the MWJHL’s scoring leader this season with a record 105 points. “Last summer when I signed with the Monarchs, I certainly didn’t expect to get this far. It’s been an unforgettable year for our team. We have a great coach on our bench that lead us this far. Coach McCrimmon pushed us to our limits on and off the ice, made us better hockey players as well as better individuals. We are going into this weekend to win, that’s for sure. For us to win, we have to give 120 percent every time we step on the ice, everyone needs to play their role, and most of all, we have to play as team and do whatever it takes to win.

“Coach McCrimmon taught us everything we need to win and now it’s up to us to come prepared and ready to work hard for the win.”

Hounds’ veteran defenseman Kevin Hansen echoes the sentiments of his coach when it comes to executing this weekend on home ice.

“I think we'll come to play this weekend because all the boys want that trophy and to say that the Hounds are the only one to hoist the cup,” Hansen said. “With all the hard work that we have put into this season, I know the boys will want to finish it out strong. All we need to do is play like we have been playing and we will have the cup. Coach Puff Ball (Wilk) and Coach Pork Chop (Scott Gardiner) have taught us all we need to win the cup and it's in our hands now.”

The puck drops Friday night on Game 1 at 8 p.m., Game 2 Saturday night at 7 p.m. and if a deciding Game 3 is needed, that game will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.

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

Photo/Rich Meuser