BCHL  

The Penticton Vees are getting back into the game this Friday, with their first round of playoffs set to kick off against the Merritt Centennials.

For the Vees, that means getting back into the rhythm of regular gameplay after about three weeks off since the regular season.

"It finally feels a little different this week. No more waiting around, and I think we managed the first two weeks pretty well, but this week just feels a little more normal, now," head coach Fred Harbinson said in this week's Vees' View.

"We can concentrate on a specific opponent, and just kind of shore up on a few little details about our own game."

Harbinson says the team will need to keep focused and confident heading into the first round against a team that the Vees have had good fortunes against so far.

"They had some tight games there, so they know how to play in close games, and their building's never easy to play in," Harbinson said, noting that the Centennials' second and third lines aren't far behind their first.

"When you have a team like that, those teams are difficult to play against in the playoffs, because you can't really try to go after one line or the other."

If their practices have been any indication, however, Harbinson is confident the team will do well in this first round.

"We've been really good. Our execution in practice, our tempo, our attention to detail has been outstanding," he said.

"As long as we get off in the right pace on Friday night in the first period, we'll be just fine."