The Portage Islanders overcame a two goal deficit to sink the Winkler Royals 4-3 in game one of their best-of-five South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League quarter-final series last night in Winkler.

Islanders' defenceman Tyler Harland calls it a gritty effort.

"Down 3-1, we kind of battled our way back there. Luckily held on in the third. They had a couple of pushes there, but (Jesse) Deckert was really good. Especially in the second and third."

Logan Mcguire got the home town Royals on the board first, just past the halfway point of the opening period.

Landon Thompson evened the game at one before the first period was over, but that was short-lived as almost a minute later Winkler's Phil Letkeman scored on the power play.

The Royals struck again once before the first twenty was over, as Cody Friesen was able to beat Portage goaltender Jesse Deckert, who made 25 saves en route to the victory.

It was in the second period that the Islanders were able to start chipping away at their two goal deficit. Stan Yanchisyn and Jamie Mousseau tallied in the first half of the middle frame to make it a 3-all tie. Before the period was over Eric Delong scored what would end up being the game winner for the Islanders. He outlines the play.

"(AJ) Spiller made a great pass up the middle to me. I wasn't even expecting it, I was just kind of swinging to be a support to my wingers. I think that's what caught their defence off-guard too, and I just tried to get (Matt) Krahn moving and it worked."

Royals goaltender Matt Krahn turned aside 49 of the 53 shots he faced.

With the win, the Islanders lead the best-of-five quarter-final 1-0, with game 2 Sunday afternoon in Portage.