The Salmon Arm SilverBacks ran their playoff record to 9-1 by grabbing a Game 1 victory over the Vipers in Vernon by a 5-3 score.
An early power-play marker by Bryce Gervais put the Gorillas in front but John Knisley replied for the Snakes just before the end of the period.
Salmon Arm killed three penalties at the end of the first period, one of which carried over to the second. In the middle frame, the only goal came from Salmon Arm as Josh Manson tallied at the 6:44 mark.
The third period provided the most offence starting with Vernon tying the game near the midway point on a Patrick McGillis marker. But Salmon Arm replied with a goal from Paul De Jersey who then assisted on another by Mike Hammond. Kyle Murphy got the Vipers back within one on a power-play goal but in the last minute, Jayson Reardon scored an empty-netter assisted by goalie Kris Moore.
In Powell River, the Kings won their fourth straight game with a 4-2 win over the Surrey Eagles.
A three-goal first period would prove to be all the Kings needed with Brendan Hawryluk, Andrew Pettitt and Chad Niddery – with a shorthanded effort – each tallying goals.
Surrey began a comeback in the second with goals from Jeff Vanderlugt and Hayden Trupp.
The Kings' held off Surrey in the third, maintaining their one-goal lead until the waning seconds when Matt Garbowsky got his first goal of the playoffs with a shorthanded empty-net marker.
Both teams were 0-6 on the power play.
Game 2 of both these series go Saturday night.
