Two Predator newcomers will lace up as all-stars tonight (Wednesday) in The Predators have sunk the Admirals and now look to knock the Dukes off their throne in the next round of the Junior A playoffs.

With a 5-2 win on Monday, Feb. 19, and a series sweep of the Oswego Admirals, Port Hope will meet East Division rivals the Wellington Dukes in the second round of the playoffs. This is the third year in a row Wellington and Port Hope will collide in the playoffs.

"The Dukes are a team and a hockey community that should be given a lot of respect," says Tim Clayden, Port Hope's hockey operations director.

"They have a very good team and supporting community every season."

Wellington finished second in the East Division with a 38-5-4 record and two overtime losses for 82 points. Port Hope finished third with a 31-11-5 record and two overtime losses for 69 points. The teams split their season series 2-1-2.

Port Hope had a 2-0-1 record at home in the season series, while the Dukes won the last two meetings, both played in Wellington, by a 6-1 and 3-1 scores.

"The Dukes are the team to beat this year, we can beat them but will have to work at it each and every shift, while staying focused and disciplined," says Clayden.

Clayden says he is concerned a bit about the potential "mind-games" which come with a high profile match-up against a team like Wellington.

"The Dukes constantly lobby the officials and chirp about opposing players, which is downright childish," says Clayden.

"How they berate their players in not my concern, but if they chirp about our players this round, it will not be tolerated."

Last season Port Hope eliminated Wellington 4-2 before losing to Bowmanville in the East final. Two seasons ago, Port Hope blew by Wellington 4-1, in the East Division final, to clinch the Predators first division title.

Clayden was impressed by how the Predators played against the Admirals in a series abbreviated to a best-of-five because of bad weather.

"We played very well at times and it was very encouraging to see a few players bring their game up to the higher playoff level of hockey," says Clayden.

Port Hope plays the Dukes in Wellington on Friday, Feb. 23. at 7 p.m. The second game of the series in Port Hope on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m