ItB次元官网网址檚 the series many wished to see, as the powerhouse

And it started Sunday with a 5-1 CougarsB次元官网网址� win at Archie Browning Sports Centre.

But all is not what it seems.

B次元官网网址淭he score wasnB次元官网网址檛 reflective of the game, it was more of a 1-0 goal game,B次元官网网址� said Cougars assistant coach Suneil Karod.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a strong team and theyB次元官网网址檙e going to retool. We have to be ready.B次元官网网址�

Game 2 is Monday (March 4), 7:30 p.m. at Pearkes. Game 3 is Thursday (March 7) at Archie Browning.

The Cougars took the lead early in Sunday's matinee with a power play goal by Ben Kinshella.

The rest of the first period played out fairly evenly after that until, with four skaters aside, Cougars defenceman Brandon Egli ripped a point shot off a faceoff to make it 2-0 with 90 seconds left. Nathan Chen-Mack scored three minutes into the second period to make it 3-0. Though it looked liked the Braves wouldnB次元官网网址檛 recover, they nearly did.

B次元官网网址淥nce we got ahead and it was status quo, no one really taking any chances. I thought the Braves had the better scoring chances in the last two periods, we just made the most of our opportunities,B次元官网网址� Karod said.

B次元官网网址淎ctually our penalty kill was pretty good, we know they have an unreal power play at it only scored two goals. But weB次元官网网址檝e got to stop taking penalties in the offensive zone and when weB次元官网网址檙e on the powerplay,B次元官网网址� said Braves assistant captain Sam McMullen.

The Braves started the second period two-men short due to a bench minor as the first period ended. Though the Braves survived the penalty, it hurt their chances of starting strong in the second.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 frustrating when you donB次元官网网址檛 see the calls going your way, but youB次元官网网址檙e wasting your energy if you yell at the ref. IB次元官网网址檝e never seen a ref change his call by being yelled at,B次元官网网址� McMullen said. B次元官网网址淲e need to control what we can control.B次元官网网址�

The Braves started the third period with a goal from Max Mois, when he tipped a pass in from Josh Gray. But the Braves couldnB次元官网网址檛 beat Cougars netminder Evan Roch, who made 19 saves on 21 shots.

Finally with two minutes some of the Braves lost their discipline and sat back, allowing the Cougars to score a power play goal by Mark Walton and a short-handed breakaway goal by defenceman Graham Zagrodney to put the game away.

Goalie Tanner McGaw was strong for the Braves despite letting in five goals. He made 29 on 34 shots, including some clutch stops to keep the game close.

For Egli, a midseason Victoria Grizzlies cut who scored the second goal of the game, it was his first goal since returning after a month off with an inconclusive upper body injury.

B次元官网网址淭here was some second opinions sought, we didnB次元官网网址檛 really find out what it was,B次元官网网址� he said.

Ultimately, it was just time that he needed.

B次元官网网址�(It) felt good enough getting the goal (Sunday). IB次元官网网址檝e just jumped back into the game here and still getting my rhythm.B次元官网网址�

The Cougars only non-healthy scratch on Sunday was veteran defenceman Rhys Williams who is due back for Monday. The Braves were without big defenceman Brandon Parmar on Sunday.

sports@vicnews.com