Blues open playoffs on winning note

Moments after receiving the league most sportsmanlike player award Tuesday night, Kevin Dowling scored on his first shift of the game to lead the Dundas Blues to a 5-3 win over Dunnville in game one of the best of seven first round playoff series.

Dowling added another goal on a powerplay just over six minutes later to give Dundas a 2-1 first period lead.

Dunnville tied the match up in what evolved into a back-and-forth, penalty filled game that saw Dundas serve 73 minutes on 21 infractions and Dunnville serve 69 minutes on 21 infractions.

Dundas' John Murray broke the 2-2 tie with a powerplay goal early in the second frame, but Dunnville marched right back to knot the game at three goals each.

Blues veteran and Dundas native Mike Peters netted the winner with six minutes left in the second frame.

In the final period, Dundas clamped down defensively to hold the slim lead - and Dundas' Derek Searle, one of several late additions to the injury-riddled Blues roster - added some insurance with the team's fifth goal.

"Kevin had a strong game," general manager Steve Aglor said. "Derek had a strong game for us as well. "He definitely has no problem playing in this league."

Dundas goalie Cam Graham stopped 24 of 27 shots to earn the win.

Peters, Murray, Jonathon Cox (2), D.J. McConnell, Robert Bentivegna (2), BJ Caco, and new addition Trevor Atkinson all added assists for Dundas.

The first round playoff series continues in Dunnville Friday, Feb. 5 with an 8 p.m. start. The teams return to Dundas for game three on Tuesday Feb. 9 for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Tuesday happens to be the 54th anniversary of the night in 1956 when the New York Rangers played an exhibition game against local junior players at the Dundas Arena, now known as J.L. Grightmire Arena.