Midgets ready for playoff action

NEW GLASGOW - The Weeks Midgets will start the first round of the NSMMHL playoffs this weekend against the Cape Breton Tradesmen.
It is a best three out of five series, with the first and second games scheduled for the John Brother MacDonald Stadium in New Glasgow, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
The next two games are next Saturday and Sunday in Sydney.
In the regular season league play the Weeks team finished fourth with 42 points while the Tradesmen finished fifth with 39 points.
The Weeks have won three of the five games they played against the Tradesmen so far. One of the losses was in a shootout.
At Thursday's practice, head coach Dave MacIntyre stressed what it will take to win.
"If we are not disciplined, we will not win this first round," he told the guys.
The players have spent far too much time in the penalty box and if they want to do well in the playoffs that's got to change, he told them.
They can take nothing for granted at this point, MacIntyre said.
Only a few points separate the teams and as he has said often before, any team can beat any other team in this league on any given night.
"We're not just going to show up against any team and the two points be awarded to us," he said.
His players are going to have to keep their playing style simple and outwork the Tradesmen.
The Tradesmen have the top three scorers in the league which they run together on one line.
Captain Ryan Vokey said if they can play a good strong defensive game and keep that line from scoring they will do well.
MacIntyre said it is good that they will have the home ice advantage for the first two games.
"It's great," he said. "We've got to make sure to use it to our advantage. It's our home ice. We want to come out this weekend with two wins."
If they beat the Tradesmen in the first round it is likely that the Weeks will play Halifax in the next round.
While they are the league leaders, Vokey said they have beaten them once.
"We know we can beat them," he said.
MacIntyre is also confident his team can make a comeback and win this.
"We have the opportunity in front of us to really surprise the league," he said. "It comes from players on the ice. They have to believe in it."