In round one of 2008 playoff action, the Penetang Kings had no trouble dismantling the Schomberg Cougars.

But Kings head coach Wes Parent doesn’t expect the same turn of events against the Fergus Devils when the two teams take to the ice on Friday.

“We made out pretty well against Fergus this season, but I expect this will be a pretty close and tough series,” Parent told Simcoe.com.

With a berth in the league final on the line, Penetang and Fergus will meet in game one of their 2008 Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League semifinal series on Friday night in Penetanguishene. Game time is 8:30 p.m.

Game two will be played Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Fergus, with game three set for Feb. 27 at 8:30 p.m. in Penetanguishene.

Fergus won the right to play Penetang after disposing of the Stayner Siskins in five games in their opening-round series.

“I anticipate this series will be a little more physical compared to the games we had against Fergus during the regular season. Fergus is a strong checking team and we know they'll be playing tough against our defence. We have to find a way to counteract that," said Parent.

Penetang won six of the seven meetings with Fergus during the regular season and held a 30-22 edge in goals scored.

However, two of those games went into overtime, with the Kings winning both.

Offensively, the teams come out just about even, with the Penetang top five of Aaron Duval, Evan Cole, Kelly Loughran, Kevin Imhoff and Brad Baum combining for 229 points during the regular season. By comparison, the Fergus top five of Ryan Deboer, Ben Wood, Dylan Cunningham, Kody Kirton and Todd Scarrow collected 226 points.

Fergus netminders Gary Walser and Kenny Lowe combined for 17 wins during the regular season, with Lowe posting a 3.65 goals against average (GAA).

Walser maintained a 3.18 GAA.

So far, in the 2008 playoffs, Walser has handled the bulk of the goaltending load, having played four games, while posting a 2.65 GAA.

Parent said his No. 1 netminder Chris Daniels will handle the goaltending load in the Fergus series.

“Chris is going to have play his way out of the No. 1 spot.”

The Kings are healthy heading into the Fergus series, but will be without Brett Moreau for Friday’s opening game.

Moreau picked up a four-game suspension in the Penetang-Schomberg series and has one game remaining to serve.

Aaron Duval will return to the Kings lineup Friday after serving a one-game suspension.