The Bill Salonen Cup playoffs are just around the corner for the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

The last weekend of the regular season features a pair of match-ups between the Kam River Fighting Walleye (34-6-2-0) and Thunder Bay North Stars (20-15-3-1) at the Fort William Gardens.

“It’s important for us to finish the season strong,” said Fighting Walleye defenceman Kersey Reich. “Getting the first round bye will also be critical to getting out guys some rest heading into the playoffs.”

Reich is in his last season of junior hockey after coming to the Fighting Walleye from the Nipawin Hawks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

“It was a pretty smooth transition for me,” Reich added when asked about adjusting to the Superior League. “The style of play is different but playing three years in the Saskatchewan league may have helped me get acclimatized with my new team.”

The North Stars will be involved in the opening round best of five scenario, likely against the Wisconsin Lumberjacks.

Forward Lou Vesperini is also in his last season of junior hockey eligibility and looks to provide leadership to his younger teammates heading into the post-season.

“The way that I try to act with other players, especially the younger ones, is to maybe help them through my experience reach the next level,” Vesperini told Acadia News. “I think it’s super important for us to win the two games, and treat the matchups this weekend as if they were playoff games. This is a critical approach to take especially against a top team like Kam River (Fighting Walleye).”

Game time Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m.