Now that Cranbrook is on the road to Hockeyville, let us take stock of one aspect of our local hockey culture which this week, and perhaps for several weeks after that, should overshadow all the other aspects.

This is the commencement of the WHL playoffs, which in Cranbrook is Friday, March 19. The fourth seeded Kootenay Ice are facing off against the fifth seeded Medicine Hat Tigers in the Ice's 12th straight playoff appearance since the club moved to Cranbrook in 1998.

The fourth seed versus the fifth seed — it bodes to be as competitive a playoff series as can be. We cannot think of a better way to generate a “Hockeyville” buzz than to pack the Rec Plex for the Ice home playoff games. Let us not forget, in our quest for Hockeyville status, to create electricity and uproar in this most exciting time of the long hockey season. Both teams will feed off the noise and fury of the home crowd and perform to their utmost. It should compel a few of us to go and “cast those votes.”

Typically, for whatever reason, first-round playoff attendance is relatively low. It's time to halt that trend. Playoff tickets are on sale now. You can get your tickets at the Rec Plex, and at the same time cast your Hockeyville vote at the Rec Plex voting centre.

Why deny yourself the great palpitating entertainment the Ice/Tigers series is sure to be? Support the Ice. Support Hockeyville.