The U15 Heidelberg Materials Prince Edward County Kings have struck first in their OMHA playdowns

The Kings beat the Stirling Blues 4-1 in Game One of their Tier II Semi Finals series Sunday at Huff Estates Arena.

With the game tied at 1-1 midway through the second period, the Kings pulled ahead to stay thanks to a smart play by defenceman and team captain Parker Osborne. The blueliner took something off a point blast that allowed Weston Byford to redirect a slap pass past Stirling starter Kendrick Vissor at 7:16.

Mr. Osborne continued to generate offence from the blue line in the second.

With the Kings on a power play, pivot Caleb Krentz won an offensive zone draw cleanly to Mr. Osborne. The defender tickled the iron behind Mr. Vissor and the puck found a home in the back of the Stirling net with 67 seconds left in the frame.

Late in the third, hulking forward Karsen Haight salted away the win with his first of the semi finals thanks to a set up from Brayden Koopmans.

Mr. Byford led the points parade in Game One, picking up an assist on Easton Vanhecke’s series opening goal in the opening stanza.

Kings netminder Landon Latchford was spot on notwithstanding a Blues power play tally early in the second off the stick of Stirling’s Justin Mann.

The Kings travel to Stirling on Wednesday for a chance to wrap up the Best of Three set. Should Game Three be required, the Kings host the Blues at Lehigh Arena on Thursday at 5 p.m.

The winner of the series will draw Frontenac in the Tier II Regional finals with a trip to the OMHA Championship tournament in Halton Hills hanging in the balance.