The McLean and Dickey Orillia Terriers are off to a fast start in this year's Provincial Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The Terriers, who finished second in the North Carruthers Division, started their best-of-seven first-round playoff series with rival Midland by earning a pair of victories over the seventh-seeded team.
The host Flyers got off to a fast start Friday in Midland, but goals by Jordan Fuller and Caleb Tiffin-Seminara gave the Terriers a 2-1 lead after the first period.
Captain Dylan Palomaki tallied an early, short-handed effort and then a late goal gave the Terriers a 4-1 stranglehold after two periods. Fuller, with an early third period goal, lengthened the lead to 5-1 before a late Midland goal would make the final 5-2.
Reid Thomas was strong in net, stopping 20 shots while the Terriers threw 56 shots on the Midland goal. Palomaki led the way with two goals and one assist.
On home ice Saturday, things started out the same as Midland get on the board first. But the home side would get three goals in a little over four minutes as Palomaki, Devon Edmonds and Caden Pattenden all scored to give the Terriers a 3-1 lead.
In the second, Kaiden Robitaille would give Terriers a 4-1 lead before Midland would cut the lead to 4-2. Palomaki, with his second of the game, gave the Dogs a 5-2 lead after the second.
Edmonds, with his second goal, would round out the scoring, making the final 6-2. The Terriers out-shot Midland 50-22 as Thomas once again earned the victory between the pipes. Palomaki and Edmonds each had two goals to lead the way offensively.
The next game in the series is Tuesday night in Midland at 8:30 p.m. The two teams will be back in Orillia Saturday for Game 4, slated for Rotary Place. Game time is 7:30 p.m.