Patience and defence has been the Kincardine Bulldogs' mantra all season and it did not change for Game 1 of the PJHL's Pollock Division Semi-Finals.
Kincardine picked up the win on the road 5-2.
Walkerton was able to put 12 shots on net in the first period but Kincardine goalie Craig Luinstra kicked all of those aside leaving the game scoreless at that point.
Jordan Caskenette opened the scoring 47 seconds into the second period then Kincardine teammate Mike Fiegehen scored on the power play to make it 2-0. Walkerton responded with a power play goal when Brendan Welsh scored. With just over five minutes left in the period, Damien Demarco-Sutton scored to give Kincardine another two goal lead.
In the third period, Justin Donnelly scored 48 seconds in to pull Walkerton to within a goal. But that as close as the Hawks would get. Two empty net goals finished the game and made the final 5-2.
Craig Luinstra stopped 25 shots for Kincardine while the Pollock Division's rookie of the year, Matthew Donnelly made 16 saves.
Game 2 of the series is Sunday afternoon in Kincardine at 2:25pm.
The second semi-final starts tonight in Mount Forest between the Wingham Ironmen and Patriots. Opening face-off at 8:00pm.