The Midway Power/Grass-hopper Pub Hitmen and Inlet Raiders drew first blood in their respective playoff series last Saturday at the Sunshine Coast Arena.
The Hitmen edged the Roberts Creek Rangers 5-2 while the Raiders beat the Suncoast Flyers 7-1.
Gage Gregory continued his strong season for the Hitmen with a pair of goals, while Adam Mercer, Brandon Hannah and Lance Durkin added singles.
The Hitmen led 3-1 after two periods, but the Rangers cut the lead to one after Glenn Allen made the score 3-2. But two late goals gave the Hitmen their margin of victory.
Tom Bailey scored the other goals for the Rangers.
Game two of the series goes Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. at the arena.
The Raiders came out strong in their game Saturday opening up a 4-0 lead with a pair of goals in each of the first two periods.
Danny Baker scored an unassisted goal early in the third, but the Raiders tacked on three more goals in a four-minute span to win going away.
Jarred Rutley and Dave McLennan led the Raiders' attack with two goals each while Tom Poulton, Dave Crosby and Tristan Tuplin scored singles.
Game two in the series was played Thursday night (past press deadline).
The third and deciding game threes (if necessary) would be played Tuesday night starting at 7:45 p.m. The best-of-five A-division final is slated to start Thursday, March 24 at 10:45 p.m.
In the final regular season game last Thursday, the Raiders tripped up the Rangers 6-2.
Poulton had a big night with three goals, while Rutley, Tuplin and Mike Cote added singles.
Rutley also chipped in with two assists.
Ranger goals went to Allen and Matt Fawcus.
See the Sports Ticker on page C5 to see the final standings, final league scoring leaders and upcoming games.
