ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) - In its inaugural season, the Elmira Mammoth are set to take the ice for the Commissioner's Cup Playoffs and will look to start a postseason run when they take on the Danbury Hat Tricks in the Quarterfinal series.

Elmira and Danbury will clash for game 1 of the best-of-3 series on Friday night at First Arena at 7:35 PM. The Hat Tricks won all ten head-to-head matchups this season. Three of those games were decided by just one goal. Danbury enters the playoffs riding an 8-game win streak and they are 44-7-5 overall with 129 points.

The Mammoth know the challenge at hand this weekend, but it's the playoffs, they're ready to battle to keep the season alive.

"It's honestly pretty awesome considering the start we had this year. Inaugural season, new franchise, and we made the playoffs so we have had some struggles this year but to be in the playoffs and to have a chance to compete on home ice against a team like Danbury is something that we're really excited about" said Interim Head Coach, Michael Cosentino. "I think it's just about sticking to our game plan and playing a full 60 minutes. We've had success against them at times but we haven't been able to close the gap just yet. I think we're really close and I think we're coming together as a team at the right time" he added.

"We haven't really gotten to get that win on them yet. We've taken them to overtime shootouts a bunch of times but again, different season in the postseason" said team Captain and forward, Nick Gullo. "I think with the systems our team is implementing here this week, we're really trying to get to the nitty gritty and just trying to find those little niches that we can get to come out on the right end this time in the postseason."

"Having this first game at home I think is huge because we can jump on them and get that early win. I think we'll go into Danbury with a lot of steam" Gullo said. "I understand that they have a great fan base there as well, but I think it's going to be huge and we're looking forward to it."

Gullo also had a message for Elmira fans leading up to Friday's playoff game.

"Thank you guys for coming out and supporting us all year. We want to see you guys at 7:35 this Friday at First Arena. Be there, be loud, be energetic, and we'll get a win for you guys."

The Quarterfinal series schedule between Elmira and Danbury can be viewed below.

  • Game 1 (Friday, April 21st) - Danbury @ Elmira - 7:35 PM
  • Game 2 (Saturday, April 22nd) - Elmira @ Danbury - 7:00 PM
  • Game 3 If Necessary (Sunday, April 23rd) - Elmira @ Danbury - 3:00 PM

Click here to view the full FPHL Commissioner's Cup playoff bracket.