Dexter's Andrew Gibson, left, and Chelsea's Connor Carry tussle in front of Dexter goalie Cameron Rooks during the second period of the Bulldogs' 5-2 win over the Dreadnaughts Saturday at Veterans Memorial Ice Arena.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

It was the first Southeastern Conference White Division game for the rival Chelsea and Dexter high school hockey teams.

And the Bulldogs showed why they're the reigning league champs, using a three-goal second period to punctuate a 5-2 victory over the host Dreadnaughts Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.

"League games are always extremely important. We're always happy to win those games," said Chelsea coach Don Wright, whose team out-shot Dexter 41-19. "I thought we ultimately carried the play pretty well tonight. I thought we stayed composed and that was the difference for us -- to allow us to keep chipping away."

The Bulldogs (3-2, 1-0 SEC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal from Jacob Ryan. Minutes into the second, Joe Hewitt netted a goal to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead on Dexter (2-2, 0-1 SEC).