INFERNO SET FOR PLAYOFFS

As someone accustomed to scoring goals - whether on the campus of Cornell, decked out in the Canadian maple leaf internationally or down at WinSport for the Calgary Inferno - Rebecca Johnston realizes the importance of the set-up.
As well as the utter decisiveness of clinical, ruthless finishing.
Johnston and the Inferno have set themselves by compiling a CWHL-table-topping 23-4-1-2 record.
What's left is always the hardest part: Delivering the KO punch.
Finishing.

"Clinching first place was really big for us,'' said the Inferno captain, on the eve of the opening of the Clarkson Cup playoffs. "This is what we've been waiting for, working towards, all season.
"We've put ourselves in this position. Now we're looking to continue that momentum into the playoffs.
"We have a lot of talent, everywhere. A really strong base. A lot of chemistry, on and off the ice. That's the main thing.
"We're going to be eager. There are a few of us left from 2016 and a lot of girls now that haven't won a Clarkson Cup yet. It's a good mix."
Johnston - one of a half-dozen off the current roster on hand back in 2016 - can tell the hopefuls exactly how sweet it feels to lift that trophy. On March 13, at Canadian Tire Centre just outside Ottawa, she was one of four Inferno to connect for two goals apiece in an 8-2 torching of Le Canadiennes de Montréal in a one-way-traffic title tilt.
"It's a great feeling,'' said. "A feeling you want to experience again and again.
The current edition of the Inferno host the 14-14 Toronto Furies in a best-of-three semi-final this weekend at WinSport's Arena A. Game One goes at 8 p.m. tonight, with Game 2 on Saturday at 6:45 and, if necessary, a third and winner-take-all on Sunday, noon. Tickets are available
HERE.
There's an air of unfinished business to this Calgary group, some still smarting from the gutting 3-1 rematch loss to Montreal in the 2017 Clarkson final followed by last year's surprise semi-final ouster by Kunlun Red Star, subsequently shaded in overtime by Markham in
In an effort to plant their flag at the CWHL summit once again, the Inferno stocked up on talent, both recruited and returning, over the summer.
"These girls who were here last year, who were disappointed, are hungry, as are the rest of us,'' emphasized one of the most decorated newcomers, 2018 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Brianna Decker, a Clarkson Cup champion in 2015 as a member of the Boston Blades. "All of us have that winning mentality.
"We've had it all season. But we understand you can't take anything. Taking care of business (Friday) night at 8 p.m. is first on the list.
"One thing we've done a good job all year of is sticking to our game plan, which means moving the puck quickly.
"We focus on ourselves. You work hard all season for this. So you've got to embrace playoff hockey."
Another of the illustrious newcomers, defenceman Kacey Bellamy, an three-time Olympic medalist (1 gold ,2 silver) and two-time Clarkson Cup winner, knows full well that Game One just happens to land on International Women's Day.
"It's an important day,'' said the 31-year-old, Providence, Rhode Island-born, Bellamy.
"It'll be good for little girls to come and watch us play. We're hockey players but we're also role models. If can leave an impression on the next generation, make them want to play at this highest level, then that's the goal achieved."
The Inferno closed by winning six seven to secure top spot in the CWHL, while the Furies claimed six of their final nine starts to snare that fourth and final post-season berth.
"Talking to the girls we've become teammates and friends with this year, last season has been a big motivation for them, getting past these semi-finals and back into the championship game,'' said Bellamy.
"When we first got here, it was about putting in the work and setting a tone. We have a lot of talented players.
"We've had a really good season.
"But this is our Stanley Cup.
"At the end of the day, that's always been our aim: Lifting that trophy with all these teammates we've gotten to know over the last few months and will be friends with forever."