The Heritage Junior B (HJHL) finals playoff action was in full swing with the Carstar Okotoks Bisons taking game one against the Sylvan Lake Wranglers 3-1.

Sylvan Lake would open the scoring in the series early in the first period on a powerplay goal. The Herd didn't get discouraged and stuck to their game plan of pelting the Wranglers with a barrage of shots on net. Defenceman and assistant captain Brayden Kapty would answer with a powerplay goal of his own, tying the game at one apiece.

Scott Brown creating a screen in front of the Wranglers net.Scott Brown creating a screen in front of the Wranglers' net.

The Bisons would take the momentum from the Kapty goal and score another two unanswered goals in the first period, giving them a 3-1 lead. Avery Grieg would score the second goal, with the first two Bisons goals coming from their defenders. Scott Brown then added the third goal scoring quickly off the face-off with just over seven minutes left in the frame and 40 seconds after Grieg potted the go-ahead goal. Okotoks outshot their opponents 21-6 in the first period.

That would be all the goal-scoring the Herd would need, as they complete the win and continue to hold home-ice advantage in the seven-game series. Grady Nicholas faced more shots this game than any game in the previous series with the Rocky Rams. Nicholas proved that he could handle the pressure, stopping 29 shots in the contest.

Grady Nicholas zoned in for game one. Grady Nicholas zoned in for game one. 

The Bisons didn't look nervous throughout the fast-paced game, and it was clear they had been to the HJHL finals before. The final shot count was 43-30 in the Herd's favour.

Okotoks will try and add another win and take a 2-0 series lead when they take the bus two hours north to Sylvan Lake for their game Sunday night (March 17) at NexSource Centre.

Game two starts at 6:30  p.m.