Riley Heemels had two goals and an assist Saturday as the North Island Eagles bantam rep hockey team opened the Vancouver Island Tier 3 playoffs with a 5-3 victory over the Campbell River Tyees in Campbell River.
The bantams return home for their next playoff matchup Saturday at 1:15 p.m. in Port Hardy, against Powell River.
The bantams, who struggled most of the season in Division 2 play before dropping back to Tier 3 for the playoffs, prevailed despite amassing 38 penalty minutes to 18 for the host Tyees.
Goalie Riley Mathieson stopped 31 of 33 shots to preserve the Eagles win, who survived four, 5-on-3 penalty kills.
Brandon Purdey and twin defensemen Harry Paul and Ernest Paul also scored for the bantams, who could clinch the top seed in the North Division with a win over Powell River Saturday.
Matthew Cahill had two assists and Darryl Coon and Tyren Dustin added helpers in the victory.
