On paper, the series is a mismatch.
However, as the Penticton Vees found out one year ago in a six-game opening round loss to Cowichan Valley, the underdog can rise to the occasion at any time.
The Vees are preparing to face West Kelowna in the first round of the BCHL playoffs, with Game 1 slated for South Okanagan Events Centre Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 pm.
Penticton captured its ninth-straight Interior Division title with a record of 44-12-1-1 and 90 points, six back of Coquitlam, which claimed the overall regular season title. The Vees had a goals for/against of plus 90.
West Kelowna qualified for the playoffs with a record of 16-33-6-3, good for 41 points. The Warriors had the league's second-worst record, and were a minus 63 through the regular season.
Penticton took all six games from the Warriors through the regular season.
The Vees enter the playoffs red-hot, having won three straight, and 17 of 19 games since the Christmas break.
Penticton is also 16-1-1 at South Okanagan Events Centre since Nov. 27.
Game 2 of the series will be played in Penticton Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 pm.
The series then shifts to Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna for games Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening.