Tonight sees the Portage Terriers on the ice at Headingley's MTS Ice-Plex against the Blues in exhibition action.

Assistant coach Paul Harland says it's the first of two games against the Blues, and they'll be back in Portage again tomorrow night.

"So, it's going to be a good opportunity for us to evaluate some guys that are still fighting for a spot on the roster. We kind of know some of the guys who are going to be on the team, obviously. But, there's a good group of kids that are fighting for a fair amount of spots. We have this game and Saturday's game to show us what they can do and try to earn a spot with the club."

Harland describes what it's like to play the Blues.

"Last year in the playoffs they were a physical team, and I don't anticipate that'll change. They work hard and they usually have quite a few good players. So, I'm assuming it'll be a physical match. They'll be having the same situation as us where they have kids trying to make their club, and everyone will be wanting to work hard and show the coaches that they want a spot on their team."

Harland says Portage is ready to deal with the physical nature of the Winnipeg team.

"We've got some rookies and some guys that we got in trades over the off-season that have that physical presence that we like, and are hard to play against. So, it's going to be a matter of the next two games who we think that will be a good fit for our club."

That games starts at 7:00 p.m. in Winnipeg, and they play in Portage la Prairie's PCU Centre tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.