Outgunned 5-1 in the first game of the playoffs Feb. 19 - and with two of their top three scorers not in the equation - veteran players like Ryan Delorme and Quentin Holmes, who recently played their 100th games as Norman Northstars, knew that Saturday could have been their last midget AAA game.

But it wasn't, and neither was Sunday.

Delorme made 74 saves in games two and three of the Northstars' opening round playoff series against the Interlake Lightning, while Folster, who had a goal in each of the three games, scored the overtime series-winner 46 seconds into overtime for a 3-2 victory Feb. 21.

“Ryan Delorme played the best he has played since putting on a Northstars jersey three years ago,” said Northstars’ head coach Doug Korman. “Ryan's stock has risen greatly after this past weekend.”

Now, for the first time since he joined the Northstars, Delorme is into the second round of the playoffs.

The Northstars jumped out to a 3-0 lead Feb. 20, as Roy Ettawacappo scored a first period goal and Quentin Holmes and Rylan Veitch added markers in the second. Dylan Favell got the Lightning on the board in the third, but Brett Ferguson replied just 13 seconds later. Craig Sigvaldason brought Interlake back within two before Wayne Folster scored into an empty net to make the final 5-2. Delorme made 41 saves on the night, while Brandon Bzovey stopped 25 shots for the Lightning.

“After Saturday's win, the team grabbed the momentum, knew our conditioning was there, and started to support and believe in themselves,” said Korman.

Justin Valentino had a three-point game in the series clincher, scoring the only goal of the first period, then tying the game with 1:32 left to play before setting up Folster's overtime winner. Brett Stovin and Macauley Siemens scored third period goals to put the Lightning up 2-1. Delorme stopped 33 shots and Brandon Bzovey 22.

“What happened Sunday, was Quentin Holmes took back ‘his’ team to lead,” said the coach. “When he did that, the other players followed. “There were some key performers throughout, but it was a team effort and everyone deserves credit.”

Nicco Digiovannantonio had two goals in the series opener as the Lightning, who have met the Northstars four consecutive seasons in the first round of the playoffs, looked to make it a threepeat of knocking Norman out. Folster had the Northstars' only goal of the first game, which tied the score 1-1 in the second before Trent Genyk put Interlake up 2-1. Digiovannantonio picked up his second in the final frame, while Orrin Hogue and Favell also tallied. Bzovey made 22 saves for the Lightning, while Delorme faced 55 shots, 24 in the first period alone.

“After losing our first game, I really thought our chances were slim,” admits Korman. “We have been a team with many issues this past season, both on and off the ice, having players quit right up until the last game of the season. The loss of Cody [Zulyniak] to a broken ankle was huge. We had players packing their bags before the trip and were ready to go home. With a lot of hurt on our team, some players had a choice - pack it in and lose their friends or fight and do whatever it takes to win.”

The Northstars now face the Winnipeg Wild, with the first three games on the road. They'll need to win at least one to make another appearance in the C.A. Nesbitt Arena, which will host the fourth and fifth games, if necessary.

“With the Wild ahead, we will come together as a team, as friends and make these playoff memories last forever,” said Korman, who had a little advice for his players. “Ride this wave as far as it will take us!”