The Gateway Jr. Vikings hockey team will be heading to the playoff finals after defeating the Franklin North Stars 4-1 in Foxboro on Friday, March 30.

Franklin took a quick lead just seconds into the game with an intense start over the unprepared Vikings. The game settled down, however, and the Vikings tied it with a goal from Connor Kelley assisted by Brian Holmes.

The left and right wings of the Jr. Vikings' offense made good use of the "triangle" formation and fed defensemen Tyler Gallus and Brian Holmes the puck, allowing them to drill several slap shots to the Franklin net. But Franklin's goal-tending denied the Vikings any more points on the scoreboard for the first period.

In the second period, Sean Fagan made the score 2-1 by blasting one by the Franklin goalie with an assist from Stephen Toal and Alex Hathaway.

The Jr. Vikings desperately sought to take a greater lead as they went into the third period up by just one goal. Will Paling was penalty killing and fore-checking in the zone and did not allow Franklin to make a good break-out pass.

The Jr. Vikings were finally able to take a 3-1 two goal lead with a high shot into the net by Stephen Toal, who was assisted by Tyler Gallus.

With two minutes left in the game and an open Franklin net, Stephen Toal gave the Vikings the deciding goal with a shot just over the blue line.

The finals will be played at the Foxboro Sports Center on Saturday, April 7, at 8 p.m.

The boys have already qualified for Saturday's final but will also be playing a game on Friday night in Raynham at 9:20 p.m.