The playoffs in the PEI Midget AAA Hockey League are set to begin this week. Here are this year's opening round matchups:

#2 Charlottetown OK Tire Abbies vs. #7 Kings County PEI Police Association Kings

Season series: 5-0 Abbies

Game #1: Wed., Feb. 16^th at 7:45 at CARI B

The Abbies dominated the season series, shutting out the Kings in three of their five meetings. The Abbies had the top two scorers in the league in Ryan Cassidy and Parker Diamond, and the league's top goaltender in GAA, Zac Hannam. They also had the best special teams stats in the league (2^nd in PP and 1^st in PK).  The Kings will be a huge underdog in this one, and will count on Chris Stevenson to lead them offensively.

#3 Western Regals vs. #6 Pownal Gaudet's Auto Body Red Devils

Season series: 3-2 Regals

Game #1: Tue., Feb. 15^th at 8:10 at Alberton

These two teams were close all season, with the Regals winning by a hair in their last meeting on Thursday night.   The Regals are 14 points ahead of Pownal in the standings, but the Red Devils have played the league's best teams very close all season which suggests that this series could be too close to call.

#4 Sherwood Drug Mart Falcons vs. #5 Summerside Hemphill GM Capitals

Season series: 3-1-1 Falcons

The Falcons Matt McQuaid and Brandon Birt, the league's 3^rd & 4^th ranked scorers, will lead the charge in what will likely be a long series.  "The key to making it through the first round will be our puck movement and strong defensive play and of course, discipline." Says head coach Mary-Lynn Forrest.   "Our third year players Tyson Phillips, Mark Palmer, Travis Thibideau, Cameron MacMurdo, Alex Forrest, Cody Carmichael, Steve Holland, Jeremy Waugh, and Catherine Wood will lead the way followed by our very strong second-year players."

The #1 Mid-Isle Robert's Petro Canada Matrix will await their opponent in the second round as they will sit out with a first round bye for winning the regular season. Head coach, Mike Lord says "We look forward to the challenge our second round opponent will bring and will rely on continued balanced scoring and strong goaltending. With the bye in the first round we expect to have all players available once we hit the ice."