It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.

Coach Randy Merkel put his time in for the Whitehorse Huskies today as he spoke to the Whitehorse Star, washing hockey jerseys and socks in the final hours before the Huskies are set to hit the ice against the Powell River Regals for the first game of the Savage Cup series.

After last night's practice at the Canada Games Centre, Merkel is optimistic about the weekend, which is the first series of games that really matter for the Huskies, after a season of exhibition games.

"I'm encouraged now,” he said.

Merkel has seen the final pieces of his team fall together, after watching import Kris Mappice skate last night at practice. The entire team is expected in this afternoon.

"All our players are coming, everybody's gonna be here,” he said. "Now it's time to execute.”

And the Huskies are ready – with the full line-up in town for the weekend, Merkel said they are going to give the Powell River Regals a run for their money, and attempt to push the series right to the fifth game.

"These are the games that matter,” Merkel said.

The coach isn't too worried about the conditioning of his players, who have had a busy season keeping up with play-offs in other leagues.

"I think everybody's played a lot of hockey lately,” Merkel said.

In fact, the only real worry Merkel has at this point as he ticks off the hours before his team is set to skate at the Takhini Arena, is filling the seats.

"We need to make ends meet,” he said. "Hopefully the people of Whitehorse will come out and support the Huskies.”

Merkel said the commitment from the community needs to match the commitment he has from the players, who plan to do their best to get to the Allan Cup tournament at the end of the month.

"We've got some real strong commitments from some very strong players,” he said.

That commitment stretches to next year, with the discussion of a league for the Huskies to play in, and many high-calibre hockey players showing interest in playing for the northern capital.

"I'm not too worried about next year, as far as players,” Merkel said.

Getting fans out will help the team develop Merkel said, by allowing it to rely more on community support instead of corporate sponsorship, as himself and other organizers attempt to create a team Whitehorse can be proud of.

"It's good for the kids, it's good for the economy,” Merkel said. "We need an entity like this.”

To get the fans out, Merkel has been caught up in a media frenzy, doing radio interviews and getting the Huskies name out wherever he can. Volunteers have been putting flyers on windshields to help get more people out this weekend.

"I think the word is out there,” he said. "People are talking about it.”

Merkel is confident the town will be out to see their team battle the Regals.

"We're Canadian, we love hockey,” he said. "We're in the hockey mindset right now.”

With the Olympics finishing up last month with two hockey gold for Canada, and the Stanley cup playoffs just gearing up, Merkel said the Huskies game is another great way to see high-calibre hockey played – right at home.

"The line-up that we have is very solid,” Merkel said. "I believe and I feel pretty good about this.”

But he isn't counting out the Regals.

"Powell River will have a good squad.”

What is slightly different this time, is that the Huskies players are optimistic about their chances this weekend as well.

"The guys feel good about it too, and that's what counts,” Merkel said.

One advantage the Huskies have, is that the Regals have had a few shake-ups that saw several players drop off the team to be replaced by others.

Merkel hopes they will play based on the lessons they learned in their last game series against the Fort St. John Flyers.

"We have to stay out of the penalty box,” he said. "If you give them too many chances ... they're going to make you pay for it.”

It will be tougher this time, with NHL-style rules being implemented for the Savage Cup series.

The game begins at 7:30 tonight, and continue at least until Saturday night based on the outcome of the first three games. If needed, the series will continue until Monday night.

There will be beer gardens for every night of the Savage Cup, hosted by the Yukon Broomball Association.

The Yukon Broomball Association is raising money for their November trip to the world championships in Austria. Merkel urges people to come out and support their cause.

"This is what the Huskies are all about,” he said.

Merkel is excited about the chance to surprise the Allan Cup's other contenders.

"If we start winning this thing, we're going to turn the hockey world on its ear,” Merkel said excitedly.

"The hockey world outside of Whitehorse knows who we are.”