The Orillia Mister Transmission Kings have struck first in their Round 1 playoff series, downing the Halton Hills Bulldogs 11-8 on Thursday night.
The Kings jumped to an early 5-0 lead in the first period of the best-of-five series.
Defenceman Ashton Twyman, who assisted on the second goal of the game, says the Kings were able to ride the momentum of the big first period into the rest of the game.
"We were able to kind of hold them out," he said. "We kept the lead from the first period for the rest of the game and we were the better team."
Defenceman Aidan Colebrook says the Kings caught the Bulldogs by surprise.
"Because they beat us both times in the regular season, they didn't expect much from us," he said. "We came out firing and played one of our best games of the season."
Twyman, 20, credits goaltender Quinton Greenfield for keeping the clamps on the Bulldogs. He stopped 65 of 73 shots on goal.
"That's a lot of rubber for him to face," Twyman said. "He faced around 20 more shots than what he'd face in a normal game."
Colebrook says Greenfield's play in net gave the team "a ton of momentum."
The Kings were led offensively by Devun Colebrook, who had five points in the winning effort. Evan Gliddon and Colsen Maracle each had four points.
"The D did their part and the O did their part," Twyman said. "Everyone worked hard."
Colebrook netted the game-winning goal; it was his first of the season.
"I won the ball off the draw, ran through a kid, and then scored," he explained. "It was awesome."
The Kings sent a player to the penalty box nine times Thursday night, and the Bulldogs only capitalized once.
"We have to stay out of the box in Game 2," Twyman said. "They have a pretty good special teams unit, but if we can keep it five on five, we can beat them."
Colebrook expects the Bulldogs' power play to be more efficient in Game 2.
"It's hard to win a game when we have one less player on the floor," he said. "We have got to mitigate that."
Twyman says the Kings feel confident heading into Game 2.
"We know we can beat them. We just can't ride too high; we have to stay focused," Colebrook added.
For Twyman and Colebrook, it's their last season of junior lacrosse.
"We have to give it our all because we don't have another run at this," Twyman said.
"It gives us extra motivation," Colebrook added.
Game 2 takes place at Rotary Place in Orillia on Sunday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
"It would do a lot for morale to see that stands packed," Colebrook said. "When the atmosphere is good, it helps with motivation."
