The Rimouski Océanic aren't interested in taking the easy way out.

The Océanic could easily accept the underdog label in their semi-final series with the regular season champion Drummondville Voltigeurs. However, despite finishing seventh in league standings and 23 points behind the Voltigeurs, Océanic head coach Clément Jodoin wants his team to embrace the challenge and everything that comes with it.

"We have to learn to live with pressure," Jodoin said. "We want to come up by the front door. We don't want to come up by the back door.

"We're putting some pressure on our players. We want to be there."

The front door is the reference used for winning their league's championship, the Québec Major Junior Hockey League's President's Cup, before entering the Memorial Cup. As hosts of the Memorial Cup, Rimouski is guaranteed their spot in the tournament but like every previous team hosting the Memorial Cup, the Océanic want to go in as league champions first.

That's why, in spite of having the opportunity to call themselves underdogs in their series with Drummondville, Jodoin doesn't want any excuses as his team attempts to knock out the top seed.

If the Océanic are underdogs in this series, Drummondville head coach Guy Boucher isn't buying it.

"Our players and our organization are very well aware that these guys can beat us and I think they're aware that we can beat them too," he said. "I think (the Océanic) are set on beating us and I think they're going to be coming out so strong."

Rimouski's regular season totals are deceiving. The team was decimated by injuries early this season but meshed once they got healthy as the team also loaded up on the trade front.

The Océanic beat the league's No. 2, the Moncton Wildcats, in just five games in the second round. Rimouski lost just two of their last 30 games, regular season and playoffs combined, dating back to late January. One of those losses came to the Voltigeurs on March 8, a 5-4 home loss that snapped Rimouski's 17-game winning-streak.

Drummondville will no doubt present Rimouski with their toughest challenge. The Voltigeurs are one of the most potent teams offensively, outscoring their first two round opponents Lewiston and Montreal by a combined 60-17. Added to their impressive offensive totals is the fact Drummondville also set a franchise record for fewest goals allowed in a season at 189.

All these stats ensure the Océanic respect their opponent but not to the point where it will get in their heads.

"They're good but if you're scared you're going to make twice as many mistakes as you should," Jodoin said.

Rimouski changes their game-plans for each series and each opponent, Jodoin said, while studying their tendencies and finding ways to exploit it.

Boucher, on the other hand, is just as crafty. He's confident in making his adjustments through the course of the game, giving his opponents different looks once they adapt to a certain playing style. It shouldn't be too surprising given the two coaches are in contact each off-season.

"We both know we're going to have to adjust and re-adjust quite a few times so I'm ready for it and I'm sure he's ready for it too," Boucher said.

"(Boucher is a) very good coach," Jodoin added. "The way his team has been playing has been outstanding so I have a lot of respect for the person. … He did his homework and we did our homework and we just want to play and we are ready to play."

Rimouski forward Keven Veilleux has been on a tear since late in the season. Jodoin challenged his budding power-forward to start producing or he would be watching from the bench, a message that was heard loud and clear.

Boucher's game-plan for handling the offensive forward is no different than he will handle any other player from the Océanic - by pressuring him but not overemphasizing his worth.

"We'll pay some attention to Veilleux but we're not going to portrait this kid as Mario Lemieux coming in and have someone following him everywhere," Boucher said. "We're just going to play him as a team and keep a tight gap on him as we do with the other players."

Jodoin hopes his star forward understands the pressure and sacrifices that come with success.

"If you want to win - if you want to realize your dream - there's a price," he said. "He's a big plus on our team and he's playing well too so he's producing at the same time. There's no question there's a big affect on the team (when he's producing)."

Jodoin's biggest concern, however, is how the game will be called. The Voltigeurs averaged nearly 10 power-play chances per game, a stat Jodoin hopes is fair with the way the game is being played. Drummondville's power-play operated at an astonishing 42.7 per cent in the playoffs.

"Is there a lot of diving?" Jodoin asked. "I hope the referees will be honest in their calls."

When the puck drops on this series Friday, neither team will be underestimating their opponent.

"I think it's really going to be down to these little inches and these little details that usually make a difference between top teams," Boucher said.

And despite their opportunity to call themselves underdogs, the Océanic would rather live with the pressure of being considered a fellow contender in their series with the top team.