In what has been a long rough season for a young Chelsea hockey team, the Bulldogs seem to be playing their best hockey of the year at the right time.
The Bulldogs won back to back games for the first time this season in a pair of games that could be considered upsets.
Chelsea opened by beating a Jackson team that is battling for the SEC White title 3-2 in overtime Wednesday, February 6.
Brad Sullivan put the Bulldogs on top with an even strength goal 6:30 into the second period, but Jackson answered 1:30 later to tie the game at 1-1 and it stayed that way until the third.
Nicklas Holberg scored five minutes into the third period to make its 2-1 Bulldogs, but again Jackson answered a short time later to tie the game at 2-2 and it would stay that way and go into overtime.
Early in the overtime period, the Vikings thought they had won the game as a puck nearly crossed the goal line, but the referee waved it off and 30 seconds later Wes Hansen won it for the Bulldogs giving them the 3-2 win.
Gabe Vowles, Brady Fleszar, and Jack Capper picked up assists for Chelsea. Aidan Boote made 23 saves in net for the Bulldogs.
In a quick turnaround between games, the Bulldogs took on Rochester Stoney Creek in the Michigan Public High School Hockey Showcase hosted by The Arctic Coliseum at 11:45 Friday morning, just 16 hours after the win over Jackson.
The Bulldogs did not show tired legs as the took an early lead when Vowles tipped in a pass from Fleszar for a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the first.
Stoney Creek answered with just over 10 minutes left in the first to tie the game at 1-1.
Just 3:37 into the second period Tyler Emmert hit Sullivan with a long pass to send him in alone on net and he put it home for a 2-1 Bulldog lead.
Stoney Creek again answered just under two minutes later to tie the game at 2-2.
With just over 10 minutes left in the second, Vowles found the net for his 2nd goal of the game to put Chelsea on top 3-2.
It stayed that way through the remaineder of the second.
In the third, both teams had quality scoring chances only to have multiple shots ring of the goal post, including Stoney Creek with under a minute left in the game and a man advantage with the goalie pulled and an empty net, but could not sore as the Bulldogs held on for the 3-2 win.
Emmert finished with two assists, while Holmberg and Fleszar each had one. Boote made 26 saves in net as the Bulldogs were outshot 28-21 in the game.
Chelsea will face Grand Haven in its second game of the MPHSHS Saturday at 6:00 PM.