There's going to be plenty of familiarity when it comes to one half of the AJHL South Division Semi Finals between the Okotoks Oilers and the Calgary Canucks.

For the second straight year it will be the Oilers verses the Canucks after last year's quarter finals saw the Oilers sweep the Canucks in three games.

Okotoks have swept their first round opponents the past three year's including Sunday's clinching win in Camrose and forward Nolan Thompson says with the Canucks needing all five games against Drumheller to win their opening series, they need to take advantage of Calgary's quick turn around in game one.

"For us we have to come out really strong and take advantage of this time off we've had," he says. "Obviously they had to grind it out in five games with Drum which isn't easy for anybody so we've been able to take a week off just to re-group so we better come out strong Friday and Saturday."

It will also be another reunion for a number of Oiler veterans as former Head Coach and General Manager James Poole will be on the other side of bench looking to spoil his former club's chances of moving on to their third South Final in team history.

The newly reformed Canucks finished just ahead of the Oilers in the division standings in third, but the Oilers did take the season series 5-1 and Thompson hopes the Canucks lack of experience in the post season will be beneficial for them.

"It's going to be tough but we've just got to stick to our game and focus on what we do right and kind of build off the energy that we got from the Camrose series and really pick them apart as best as we can with their inexperience."

One match up to watch is between the goaltenders.

The Oilers Riley Morris will do battle against the Canucks Logan Drackett, both nominated for the league's Goaltender of the Year award with Drackett taking the title.

Thompson says they were able to get to him in the playoffs last year and this season so the plan is simple.

"It's just pucks on net and get him moving and overwhelmed with traffic and everything you can do and throw everything you've got and eventually they start going in."

Game one of the best of seven starts Friday night at 7 P.M. at the Max Bell Centre.

Here's the schedule:

Friday, March 17,           Oilers @ Canucks       Max Bell Centre 7:00PM
Saturday, March 18,       Oilers @ Canucks       Max Bell Centre 7:30PM
Monday, March 20,        Canucks @ Oilers        Pason Centennial Arena 7:00PM
Tuesday, March 21,       Canucks @ Oilers        Pason Centennial Arena 7:00PM
Friday, March 24,          Oilers @ Canucks        Max Bell Centre 7:00PM **If Necessary**
Sunday, March 26,        Canucks @ Oilers        Pason Centennial Arena 7:00PM **If Necessary**
Tuesday, March 28,       Oilers @ Canucks        Max Bell Centre  7:00PM **If Necessary**