The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs won their first playoff game Saturday, beating Powell River Kings 5-1 at Weyerhaeuser Arena.
“Big saves by (goalie Bryce) DiRocco, especially in the early going made the difference,” head coach Brent Demerais said.
In spite of keeping play in the offensive zone most of the time, the Bulldogs had a hard time finding a way past the Kings defence and goalie. The first period was scoreless and they only managed 12 shots on goal by the ice clean.
The first goal of the game came after several intense shifts, with 5:39 left in the second period.
The winner goal didn’t come until the middle of the third period, with Sam Visona converting a tic-tac-toe play by Tyler Wilhelm and Marino Somerville.
The Midget Bulldogs will play their next North Island playoff games away against Oceanside at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6, and then Campbell River on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 6:15 p.m. The top two North Island teams will advance.