The female U18 AAA Central Plains Capitals are partnering with Canadian Blood Services for tonight's game against the Eastman Selects.

The Caps will be collecting donations and donating all the proceeds from their 50/50 to Canadian Blood Services as a part of the Be a Hero campaign.

Head coach Brendan Schaan says they were asked in December if they'd be willing to help fundraise, and he says they jumped at the opportunity.

"This is a way for them to help spread their message of how in need they are for blood," Schaan explains. "A couple of different teams are doing Adopt-A-Clinics, where members will come do blood samples for the team. Some teams are doing educational sessions but we decided that we are going to do a specific game to raise proceeds and raise attention."

Schaan adds they are very grateful to be able to help organizations like the Canadian Blood Services and notes the team has been doing so as much as possible.

"We've been very fortunate this year to jump on a couple of different initiatives from the Central Plains Cancer Care Game to our Buddy Talk Game and now this Canadian Blood Services Game. It's a way for a sport to help spread the message of 'These are some really good initiatives that we should be following as a community.' You can never do too much to help a community. There's always an option, and there's always a resource."

Tonight will be the final home game for Central Plains before the playoffs, so they will be looking to leave the BDO Centre on a high note. The Capitals went winless in January but Schaan says they've been starting to gameplan for the playoffs.

"This time of the year, you get a better idea of who you're going up against in the playoffs. We've been doing a little bit of scouting, recognizing what kind of system they run and figuring out the best way to counterplay. The wonderful thing about playoffs is anything can happen," Schaan continues. "The main thing for us is to get the girls focused and motivated because, in a five-game series, anyone can take it. Last year, the first-place team did not win the whole thing."

While it is likely that Central Plains will have to take on the first-placed Winnipeg Ice in the opening round of the postseason, the head coach believes they will peak at the perfect time.

"I do feel like there is a little bit more room to grow but we're really focusing on the fine tunes of the system and everything around that. The effort is there. They're finally starting to utilize each other on the ice and make some really nice passing plays to get some goals. It's only a matter of time before everything clicks."

The Capitals will take on the Selects tonight at the BDO Centre, with puck drop set for 7:45.

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