The Abbotsford Pilots opened the playoffs where they left off at the end of the regular season.
The local junior B hockey club, winners of five in a row heading into the post-season, turned in a dominant effort in a 5-1 win over the Mission City Outlaws on Tuesday at MSA Arena.
The Pilots out-shot the Outlaws 46-15, claiming a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series in the process.
Abbotsford got goals from five different players – Christopher Vinette, Brady Lawlor, Justin Klimek, Michael Tebbutt and Adam Rossi – while Brandon Daase picked up three assists.
Goalie Aaron Oakley made 14 saves in the win, with Travis Park's second-period shot the lone puck to slip past him.
Game 2 goes Thursday at the Mission Leisure Centre at 7:15 p.m.
The balance of the series schedule is as follows:
Game 3 – Friday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., MSA Arena
Game 4 – Sunday, Feb. 24, 6:15 p.m., Mission Leisure Centre
*Game 5 – Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., MSA Arena
*Game 6 – Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:15 p.m., Mission Leisure Centre
*Game 7 – Friday, March 1, 7:30 p.m., MSA Arena
* = if necessary