After a thrilling semi-final round of competition where both finalists won their series in five games, the battle for the Island Championship sets up to be a dandy.

The Matrix are coming off an upset of the first place Western Regals in a tight series that featured two double-overtime contests and four one-goal games. The Matrix swept the Kings County Kings in the first round. Meanwhile, the Abbies had a tough road as well, earning a tight 6-4 win in game five against the Summerside Hemphill GM Capitals. Charlottetown also swept their first-round series against the Sherwood Falcons.

These two teams are very familiar with each other after, aside from their five regular season meetings, they also met 4 times in tournament play (three of which were elimination games). The Abbies have a combined record of 7-2 (4-1 regular season and 3-1 in tournament play) against the Matrix this winter and eliminated Mid-Isle on their way to each of their tournament victories at the Spud, Early Bird, and Monctonian, including an overtime win in the final of the Early Bird.

The Matrix started slow this season, with a league worst 1-7-1 record through November, but started to catch their stride in December, when they went 6-3 and were able to move up to fifth spot after the regular season. The Matrix are in their first trip to the finals since the North River Flames, one of the teams that amalgamated into the Matrix, reached the finals in 2002.