BIDDEFORD — Eight is surely enough. One day’s layoff more, and there’s not telling how deeply into a stir crazy state the lads from No. 1 seeds Biddeford and No. 2 Thornton Academy would descend.

As it is, both teams will get back into action, playoff style, tonight, after wrapping up their regular seasons one week ago Monday.

“It’s been eight games between games,” said Tigers coach Rich Reissfelder. “And practices pretty much every day. We tried to keep it fun, so that we (didn’t) get bored out of our tears. At the same time, there (is) a job to be done.”

For the Tigers (15-2-1), that means preparing for No. 8 seed Scarborough in a 5:30 p.m. clash at Biddeford Ice Arena.

Thornton and No. 7 Deering will follow at BIA at appoximately 7:30.

Both higher seeds are preparing as though their lives were on the line.

And in a one and done playoff situation, they truly are.

For Biddeford, that means guarding against a let down against the Red Storm, that finished a deceptive 6-10-2, a mark that included six one-goal losses.

The first of those the Tigers handed to them, 4-3, in the season opener.

Biddeford took the rematch, 5-2, but it took four goals in the third period to pull out the win.

“They definitely gave us all we could handle, both times,” said Reissfelder. “I look at it as a 1-4 seed. In my mind, they’re the fourth best team in the West. They have a ton of talent. A great goaltender (senior Matt Mayo). Good coaching (the legendary Norm Gagne). So we’ve got our hands full.”

Still, Biddeford boasts balanced scoring, led by brothers Trevor (28-23-51) and Brady (13-24-37) Fleurent, and supplemented through the rest of the forward corps, and the blue line, too.

“We’ve got some guys,” said Reissfelder, “we think can skate with their top line, that will still free up with our top line to do what we need them to do.”

Unlike Biddeford, Thornton has little first-hand knowledge of its opponent, having only scouted the Rams on video.

“We haven’t played them and haven’t seen them,” said Trojans’ coach Shawn Rousseau. “We (did) our best to do our research and make sure we’re ready.”

What Thornton does know, is that a second seed doesn’t guarantee playoff success.

Seeded No. 2 last year, No. 10 Kennebunk (the regional fields were cut to eight this season) beat Thornton Academy in quadruple overtime.

“I’ve told the team that the playoffs is the great equalizer,” said Rousseau. “You can’t go into any game with expectations. Anything can happen. If you don’t play 45 minutes of your best hockey, you’re vulnerable against anybody. We’re gearing up for Deering, whether they’re the seventh seed (or not).”

Under the direction of first year coach Jack Lowry, the former Biddeford and Cheverus bench boss, the Rams reached the tournament by winning six of their last seven games.

Even so, Rousseau said he was pleased with the way his team played down the stretch.

“We finished 15-2-1,” said Rousseau. “That’s almost perfect. I think the three blemishes on our record are three teams that we’re likely to see if we want to win this tournament.

“Am I happy with the way we’ve played? Sure. Do I think we need to play better to win? Yes I do. We’ve gotten the rest that we need. We’ve got a lot of work to do to prepare to win.”

The winners will move on to Saturday’s semifinal games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

— Contact Staff Writer Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.