The schedule has been set for a best-of-seven series that is sizing up to be another historic barn burner between the Cochrane Generals and the Okotoks Bisons in Heritage Junior Hockey League playoff action.

Game two of the series is here at the Cochrane Arena after Friday night’s opener in Okotoks. Game time is 8 p.m.

Gens head coach Travis McMillan says you can feel the tension between the Cochrane and Okotoks clubs.

"I may have only been in the league for two years, but you can tell from the players that there's always been something there. It’s not necessarily bad blood, but they know they can expect a battle and it’s going to be hard series because of the rivalry. It’s not like we hate their guts or anything but we know what they are going to be bringing it and we need to be prepared for it."

While admitting the two teams are almost a mirror image in depth, McMillan believes the Gens are the better team and wants to prove it in front of the hometown crowd.

"It will be good to be home on a weekend night and show Cochrane that we should have probably been in a higher position than third place. I think we earned it, we just have to make sure we take care of business,"

With Hometown Hockey being hosted by Okotoks this weekend he's expecting standing room only for games in Okotoks on Friday and Sunday.

"The atmosphere is something we're going to have to battle against in Okotoks. We need to make sure we don’t get caught up in the small mind games that teams can throw at you. We need to make sure we go there and play strong and hard Cochrane hockey."

With Taylor Girard and Takuro Okada back from serving suspensions, the team will be close to full strength. Only River Ross is sidelined with a concussion.