No one said it was going to be easy.
The Grandview Steelers have shown they can get the jump on the reigning Pacific Junior B Hockey League champion North Van Wolf Pack.
Now they need to show they can do it come the final buzzer.
The Burnaby-based Steelers trail North Van 2-0 in their best-of-seven quarter-final series, after Saturday's 8-3 setback on the North Shore.
Although Grandview counted the game's first two goals and entered the second period ahead 2-0, the underdogs faced a torrential blitz from the circuit's top team to the tune of six tallies.
North Van tied it up within the span of 50 seconds early in the middle frame, then took a 4-2 lead when Alex Suprynowicz, with his second of the night, and Jacob Callas scored before the midway point. Although Carson Zimmerman got the Steelers back within a goal, the Wolf Pack netted two more to end a six-goal period.
In the third period, the hosts added two more off the stick of Lucas Barker to take a 2-0 series lead.
Counting Grandview's earlier goals were Ethan Strik, who opened the scoring at 7:57 of the first, and Jacob Paler-Chow. North Van outshot the visitors 43-34.
A day earlier in the series' opener, the Steelers once again grabbed a lead, up 2-1 after 20 minutes thanks to tallies by Quinn Myles and Strik. North Van would tie it 1:19 into the third period on a marker by Samuel Marburg. Just over two minutes later, Jordan Myers made it 3-2 for Grandivew, but Barker notched the tying goal with 3:53 remaining in regulation.
North Van would dominate the initial overtime period, counting eight shots on net before Callas sniped the game-winner at 9:54.
Cale Dolan stood on his head for Grandview, kicking out 49 shots.
The series continues tonight (Monday), 7:15 p.m. at the Burnaby Winter Club. The fourth game goes Wednesday, also at the BWC. A fifth game, if necessary, would be played Saturday in North Van.
