An Airdrie Hockey player is ready for the next round of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Playoffs.

Former Airdrie Xtreme and Foothills Bisons star Kurtis Chapman will start in Game 1 for the Portage Terriers as they face the Steinbach Pistons.

Assistant Coach Paul Harland says it's good to see Chapman get the nod in net after a rough start to the season.

"He didn't get a lot of work early because our other guy Brock Aiken was playing well. Chappy got a few starts, was a little shaky at first and then kind of started to settle in."

Chapman, who led the Bisons to a AMHL title and berth in the Telus Cup in 2015 brings a wealth of experience, and it shows for the Terriers.

"His work ethic on the ice has improved and he's getting better at working harder at practice. He's just come in, he seems to fill the net, he gets in the way of pucks and he's been really good for us."

Start time for Game 1 is at 6:30 MST tonight (March 24th)

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