The Mac's Midget AAA tournament schedule was officially released yesterday afternoon, grouping the Home Hardware Midget AAA Legionnaires in Pool 4.

The Legionnaires share the pool with the Lethbridge Midget Hurricanes, Brampton 45's, Calgary Midget Flames, and the Cariboo Cougars from Prince George.

"We've played a half year now with our team - we know our strengths, we know what we need to work on. Going forward into the tournament, we've got to really dial into playing our way, and making sure that our game is taken care of. There's always going to be good teams there - you can't control that, but you can control the way you play."

Swift Current heads into the prestigious tourney with a 19-7-1-0 record, and in third in the Sask Midget AAA Hockey League standings.

They kick off the tournament schedule December 26 at 4:30 p.m. (Sask time) against the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League-leading Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes have an 18-3-0 record, and have scored 98 goals, allowing just 46 over their 21 games.

It's a short turnaround for the Legionnaires' second game as, at 10 a.m. (Sask time) on December 27, they face the Brampton 45's.

It's a less exciting matchup on paper, as the 45's have a lowly 3-19-0 record, and in last pace in the South Central AAA Hockey League.

Round robin game number three happens the next evening, as a 6:15 p.m. Sask time puck-drop on the 28th sees the Legionnaires battling the Calgary Flames.

The Flames are tied for 12th in the 18-team Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League, but last in the stacked eight-team Chrysler Division at 8-13-2.

After a day off on the 29th, the Legionnaires wrap up the round robin against another tough team, and the lone familiar opponent in the group. Swift Current and the Cariboo Cougars square off at 3:30 p.m. (Sask time) on December 30.

The Cougars and Legionnaires are met up last year at the Mac's tournament, where Swift Current overcame an early 5-0 deficit to work a 5-5 tie.

This season, the Cougars are in second place in the BC Major Midget Hockey League with a 16-5-3 record.

With little margin for error in the tournament, shown by the team missing playoffs with a 2-1-1 record last year, the need for early momentum is paramount.

"Our organization has gotten better at getting experience," said Evjen. "We still haven't had a group in here that's won something. But what we have got is a group that has experienced the Mac's. Now, a lot of our group has been there, they know how important (your start) is, how to be dialed into what we're doing, and just focus on that. Be ready to play, but be ready to play our way right from the first shift."

Looking to get over the hump and clinch a playoff spot among the elite Midget AAA teams battling for a Mac's title, the goal shifts past a berth, and onto the latter stages of the tourney.

"Then, the learning curve this year is can we find ways to win to try and win a championship. That's the part that's kind of uncharted waters for us. We haven't played a playoff game there, or in a final game there. That's what we need to get to, to be a better organization and better team - better players."

"You've got to learn to stay with your game, and play in those tight games like we had against Regina, and play right for 60 minutes to give yourself a chance, and get yourself into playoffs in Calgary. Once you're into playoffs, more of the same - stay with it, play well, and try to get yourself into a final to give yourself an opportunity to win the tournament."

The Legionnaires will be headed to Calgary for the Mac's on Christmas Day.