The Portage Collegiate Trojans are 1-0 in the playoffs. PCI defeated the Mountain Mustangs 6-5 in Game 1 of their best-of-three series. Forward Deacon O'Ray scored the Trojans' fourth goal of the game. He says this was a great way to start the postseason.
"It feels great. I was worried, going in, that we'd have a slow start," O'Ray explains. "The boys brought it together and picked up our game going into the second."
The Trojans entered the second period down 3-0 but O'Ray, Alex Van Deynze, Brandon Patterson, and Cam Sarna all found the back of the net in the middle frame. Sarna scored a pair making it 5-3 PCI going into the third period.
The Mustangs still had some fight left in them as they got back within one goal with just over a minute to play. O'Ray outlines what they were thinking in that final minute.
"Nothing against. We can't afford to lose going into their barn. We know it's going to be close in Game 2."
PCI has the chance to move on to the second round with a win on Saturday.
"We have to stay tough because they're a tough team," O'Ray continues. "They like to throw the body, so we just have to keep our composure and keep up the hard work. I'm excited for what the boys can put on the table."
Game 2 goes down tomorrow at the Notre Dame arena, with puck drop set for 2:00.