The Portage Islanders have started off the postseason the way their regular season went, dominant.

The Islanders took a 1-0 series lead over the Winkler Royals tonight after a 9-4 victory on home ice. Forward Nick Henry had an incredible performance with three goals and three assists. He describes the keys to victory.

"When we get the puck, and we move our feet, I think we're a very dangerous team," Henry explains. "It showed tonight that 5-on-5 we dominated but then when it comes to special teams, we have to clean things up and stay out of the box."

Three of Winkler's four goals tonight came while they were on the power-play, and Portage had a total of 20 minutes spent in the penalty box compared to just four for the Royals.

Luckily for the Islanders, their offence couldn't be stopped tonight. Tanner Lesann ended the game with four points, and Landon Thompson scored a pair of goals and dished out an assist.

The best-of-five series continues tonight in Winkler, and Henry outlines what they'll have to do to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

"I think it's going to be a lot of the same. Steve (Christe) will be kicking back there. We have to stay out of the box and do a lot of the same things we did tonight," Henry continues. "Tomorrow is going to be a tighter game. They're going to come out hard, and we're going to have to weather the storm. After the first five, I think we'll get rolling. It should be a good game."

Puck drop for Game 2 is set for 7:30. Game 3 of the series will be back at Stride Place on Wednesday.

Related Stories