A strong start to the playoffs for the Diamond Energy Female Midget 'AAA' Wildcats.

Playing game one of their best of five Saskatchewan Female Midget 'AAA' quarter-final series against the Notre Dame Hounds, the Wildcats scored a 5-3 victory.

At the Fairview Arenas, Swift Current got off to a good start.

Dayna Winzer got the Wildcats on the board first, then in the final minute of the opening frame the Wildcats added two more, one off of the stick of Merissa Zerr and the other from Chloe Smith.

Although momentum appeared to be favouring Swift Current, Notre Dame quickly fought back in the second period.

Just eight seconds into the middle period, Megan Leblanc scored Notre Dame's first goal of the game, cutting the lead to 3-1.

Then with 7:17 remaining in the second, Leblanc set up Delaney Aikens who beat Wildcats goalie Jasey Book closing the gap to one.

Despite a few close calls through the remainder of the second, the Wildcats managed to hold their 3-2 lead into the intermission.

Following the break, the Wildcats came out firing in the third.

Mikayla Swallow scored Swift Current third power play goal of the game restoring their two goal lead, before Janessa Fournier scored less then a minute later to restore the three goal lead at 5-2.

The Hounds would go on to add one more goal with just three seconds remaining in the game but that is as close as they would get.

Book made 25 saves in the victory for Swift Current.

The Wildcats will now look for a 2-0 series lead tonight, when the two teams meet for game two in Wilcox.

Puck drop is set for 7:30pm.