It's playoff time in hockey leagues across the country, and the pros have just begun. 

The American Hockey League's postseason started last night, and Macdonald-born Ben McCartney is looking to help his team move on. He and the Tucson Roadrunners are battling it out with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a short best-of-three series.

"It's a little bit different having a best-of-three series but the only way to go into it is just playing your game and keeping things as simple as possible," says McCartney. "You have to adapt to your role and help out your team in any chance you have. With a series that isn't many games, all you can do is control what you can. There's not much margin for error, so you just have to keep on doing the little things right and play for each other."

The Roadrunners went 2-6 against Coachella Valley this season but kept the game within one goal in three of their losses. McCartney scored two of his seven goals this season against the Firebirds and believes they have what it takes to come out on top.

"We got a taste of them quite a bit this season. They're a good hockey club. They have a lot of skill," McCartney continues. "When it comes to the playoffs, anything can happen. I know the group we have here is ready to go. We just have to stick to our gameplan, and good things will happen."

McCartney missed five weeks with a knee injury but was able to return for the last two games of the regular season. 

"It was good and helped me build confidence in my leg. It's my first time coming off a surgery and I thought it felt really good," McCartney explains. "Just being fortunate enough to play in the playoffs, after not knowing if I would be able to, makes me happy. But at the same time, no one really cares about injuries at this time of the year. You have to play through them and play for each other. I'm excited to be able to battle with the guys."

The local forward has a bit of playoff experience but is hoping to go on his first deep run this year. During his time with the Brandon Wheat Kings, McCartney put up seven points in 14 playoff games from 2016-18 but missed the postseason in his final three seasons (two because of COVID-19). 

In his AHL career, McCartney had played in only one playoff game prior to this series, losing 2-1 to the San Jose Barracuda in his rookie campaign. He's happy to have that game to look back on.

"It was nice to dip the toes in the water there. The intensity, and the pace, picks up, and having the chance to have a little feel for it, I think I have a good understanding of what's going to come in this series. It's not going to be easy," says McCartney. "Myself and everyone included is ready for this challenge."

Coachella Valley is heavily favoured in this series as they finished the season with 18 more wins than Tucson. The Firebirds showed that in Game 1, coming away with a 5-1 victory, however, McCartney says anything can happen in the playoffs.

"The message has been simple. It's just about details. You hear that word so much but being able to put it together in the game is a totally different story," McCartney explains. "Right now, I know our team is on the same page, and we're ready to play for each other. Even watching the playoff games in the NHL, the pace is high out there, and whatever role you're in, you have to play it real strong and be a factor out there."

Game 2 in the best-of-three series between the Roadrunners and Firebirds goes down tomorrow night. 

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