Both teams breezed through their 1st round playoff match-ups but for most followers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and fan for the Okotoks Oilers and Camrose Kodiaks, the South Division semi-final is setting up to be an absolute war between two bitter rivals.

The 3rd seeded Okotoks Oilers will look to knock off the 2nd place Kodiaks for a chance to play for the South title starting this weekend in Camrose.

Oilers Head Coach James Poole says despite winning the season series against the Kodiaks, like their series with the Calgary Canucks... The regular season means nothing now and it's a clean slate again.

"We're going to see everything they got come playoff time, I'm not sure if they took us for granted in the fact that we were a younger line-up this year earlier this season and maybe didn't quite play up to where they thought our level was at," he says. "I think now we can throw that out the door and really see what they got and it's going to make for a really great series."

The Oilers did end up winning the seasons series 4-2 but haven't played Camrose since December 19.

Poole says a lot has changed since their final regular season meeting and they'll see a completely different Kodiak team come Saturday for game one.

"It's going to be physical, there's going to be a lot of battles along the walls and ultimately it's going to come down to our compete level, it's going to have to be up there and we're going to have to be willing to play in traffic but we expect that our kids are going to be up for the challenge. It's going to be a good battle and hopefully we can go up and at least one win and take the home ice advantage away from them."

The Oilers scored 14 goals and only gave up five in the quarter finals against Calgary while Camrose fired 17 pucks in the Olds Grizzlys net and also only gave up five in their first round sweep.

Poole says there's a ton of balance on their opponents roster.

"They've got two, maybe three lines that can score. Their defence is mobile and moves the puck fairly well, we're going to have to play a smart game because they're a good team that doesn't give you a whole lot of offensive chances. They're really careful with the puck if they don't have plays they're just going to flip the puck out into the neutral zone and really make you work for scoring opportunities."

The weekend series begins at the EnCana Arena in Camrose Saturday night.

Game 1 @ Camrose Mar 19 8:15 p.m.
Game 2 @ Camrose Mar 20 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 @ Okotoks  Mar 22 7:00 p.m.
Game 4 @ Okotoks Mar 24 7:00 p.m.
Game 5 @ Camrose Mar 26 7 p.m. ***
Game 6 @ Okotoks Mar 28 7 p.m. ***
Game 7 @ Camrose Mar 30 7p.m. ***

*** If Necessary

You can catch all playoff games on The Eagle 100.9, pre-game shows starting 15 minute prior to puckdrop and you can buy your Oilers home playoff tickets here.

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