One thing you can count on come playoff time in the Western Hockey League is tight-lipped coaches.

Victoria Royals coach Marc Habscheid offered little about his clubB次元官网网址檚 strategy on how theyB次元官网网址檒l attack the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the playoffs.

Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinal go tonight (March 23) and tomorrow in Kamloops. The series returns to Victoria for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e identified some things but we donB次元官网网址檛 want to share that,B次元官网网址� Habscheid said. B次元官网网址淲e go over video, itB次元官网网址檚 been the routine (this week), to break (KamloopsB次元官网网址�) game down and try to back it up with what we do in practice each day.B次元官网网址�

Back in 1998-99 Habscheid coached the Blazers all the way to the WHL final, only to lose to the Calgary Hitmen. The Blazers have yet to win a playoff round since then and, in HabscheidB次元官网网址檚 eyes, this series is the RoyalsB次元官网网址� to steal.

B次元官网网址�(Kamloops) had a good regular season, theyB次元官网网址檝e built for this season and they expect to move on from the first round this year. The pressureB次元官网网址檚 on them.B次元官网网址�

The coach also believes his youthful squad isnB次元官网网址檛 getting the respect it deserves for knocking off the third-place Portland Winterhawks in the final two games of the season.

B次元官网网址淲e beat Portland and weB次元官网网址檝e heard, B次元官网网址榳ell they didnB次元官网网址檛 have (Sven) Bartschi. (But) when weB次元官网网址檙e in tune weB次元官网网址檙e a decent hockey team,B次元官网网址� Habscheid said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a very young group. We like our skill. We just have to concentrate B次元官网网址� not on being the best individually B次元官网网址� but (on being) the best team.B次元官网网址�

Blazers associate coach Dave Hunchak, however, put his team's cards on the table.

"(Victoria's) got two good offensive lines. They're dangerous offensively. I think we need to make those two lines play defence as much as they possibly can," he said.

"We know they're going to be extremely physical and try and pound us and that's been the case for the past three months. Every team that we play has a mandate to try and be physical with us. I expect Victoria to try and grind us down and we expect our guys to push right back."

Aside from captain Hayden Rintoul and starting goalie Keith Hamilton, the Royals are without a lot of deep playoff experience. To make matters worse, forwards Robin Soudek, 20, and Brandon Magee, 18, and defenceman Zach Habscheid, 20, are doubtful for FridayB次元官网网址檚 opener.

All three played in last yearB次元官网网址檚 opening playoff round series against the Spokane Chiefs.

Without them, the Royals are even younger.

B次元官网网址淲e have a lot of rookies this year and theyB次元官网网址檒l be playing some big roles,B次元官网网址� Rintoul said. B次元官网网址淓veryoneB次元官网网址檚 going to be nervous and excited, you have to control your emotions and stay focused.B次元官网网址�

The 21-year-old defenceman was on the WHL champion Kootenay Ice that went to the Memorial Cup last year. Rintoul helped the Ice defeat the Winterhawks  in the WHL final, where Hamilton was the backup.

B次元官网网址�(Kootenay) didnB次元官网网址檛 have too many rookies last year. But you have to play your role and accept your role for the playoffs, and help out in any way you can.B次元官网网址�

Royals watchShaw TV will air all seven games of the Royals versus Blazers quarterfinal series.

Game 1: Fri., March 23 7 p.m. at KamloopsGame 2: Sat., March 24 7 p.m. at KamloopsGame 3: Tues., March 27 7:05 p.m. at VictoriaGame 4: Wed., March 28 7:05 p.m. at Victoria

If necessaryGame 5: Fri., March 30 7 p.m. at KamloopsGame 6: Mon., April 2 7:05 p.m. at VictoriaGame 7: Wed., April 4 7 p.m. at Kamloops