The playoffs hit Mosaic Place on Friday night as the Moose Jaw Generals host the Tisdale Trojans in game one of their Sask Midget AAA Hockey League quarterfinal series.

“We had a good week of practices and we’re all looking forward to it, it’s going to be fun,” said a composed Dylan McIntosh, Generals’ captain.

“We have to come every game prepared, every shift, we’re going to have our moments out on the ice, but we have to put that behind us and look forward every time.”

The Generals come in as the fourth seed for the post-season, but might not be the favourite in their first round series against the Trojans after losing all four meetings during the regular season, including a 4-1 decision on February 5th.

“We’re trying to move past that,” said goalie Grant Naherniak.  “They beat us four times, but it’s hockey and anything can happen.  It’s a league where any team can beat any team and I think we have a really good chance at winning this series.”

Naherniak will get the start in game one after playing 22 games during the regular season, an even split with Ryland Pashovitz.  Naherinak says there partnership in goal has really helped push them, “We’re always there for each and we’ll back each other up any day and it’s just really good to have a goalie partner that’s just close friends like that with you and supports you and is always there for you.”

While the Generals are expected to be in tough against Tisdale, Naherinak thinks the team is positioned for a run in the playoffs, “I think we have the drive and urge to make it far this year.  If we work hard and that’s the main thing really, just to work hard and get pucks to the net and drive hard and if we do that, we’ll be making it far in these playoffs.

After game one tonight, 7:00pm, at Mosaic Place; the series will shift to Tisdale for game two on Sunday at 2:00pm; and then back to Moose Jaw for game three on Wednesday.  Games four and five will be next Friday and Sunday, if necessary.