By Joe Bachman

It’s time for playoff hockey in Wisconsin Rapids.

Division Champion Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings will host a best-of-three game series this weekend against the Detroit Fighting Irish in the first round of of the Elite Division USPHL playoffs. The Riverkings finished with the top seed, with a record of 37-7, with four overtime losses. The Detroit Fighting Irish finished with a record of 3-41 on the year and take the #8 seed.

The Riverkings are led by forward Ryan Mantz, with 88 points on the year, and goalie Erik Schuette, who has a goals against average of just 1.57. Up-and-comer Austyn Quarters was recently named player of the week with two goals and seven assists over the final week of the season, and will remain a formidable threat for playoff opponents.

Game one kicks off on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Wood County Recreation Center, located at 2711 16th St. South. Game two will be held on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday night, if necessary.