The Lakeshore Canadiens welcome the Dresden Kings to the Atlas Tube Centre Tuesday night for game one of the Stobbs Division semi-final in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
The Canadiens advanced to the second round after knocking off Wheatley in four games last week.
The Kings meantime beat Blenheim in five games in their best-of-seven series.
Lakeshore is unbeaten in 18 straight regular season and playoff games. The Canadiens' last loss was to Dresden by a score of 3-1 in Lakeshore on Dec. 8, 2018.
Canadiens Head Coach Anthony Iaquinta feels the series will be a close one.
"There's not going to be any easy games for us and this time here they're really good," says Iaquinta. "They can put the puck in the net. They have good defence and they have a great goalie so it's going to be a tough one.
Iaquinta believes special teams will be a factor in the series.
"Their powerplay is fantastic," says Iaquinta. "I think in the first round it's already clicking at 35 percent so we got to make sure we stay out of the box and their penalty kill is the same. They seem to get in front of a lot of shots and with their goalie the way he is, it's not going to be easy."
The Lakeshore Canadiens celebrate after an overtime win over the Essex 73's on October 5, 2018 (Photo courtesy of @LSCanadiens via Twitter)
Iaquinta adds both teams are well rested.
"They had a week off as well so it is what it is," says Iaquinta. "When the puck drops, game one you just got to come ready no excuses for layoff or if you were just playing."
Game time is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Game two will take place in Dresden on Wednesday.
The Essex 73's also host the Amherstburg Admirals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday to open that best-of-seven playoff series.