Ian Ellenberger carried the puck in deep behind the Cougars net, then feathered a pass out front to Ty Jones who roofed it in for the game winner 2:59 into the 3rd period for the 4-3 victory.

Tanner McGaw stopped 36 of the 39 shots he faced to earn the playoff victory.

The Braves scored first on the power play as rookie winger Travis Stephens took a pass from Ellenberger near the blue line, skated in closer and wristed it in over the blocker of Max Pelzner. Mark Stinson with the 2nd assist 8 minutes into it.

Six minutes later the Cougars tied it up on the power play as Wade Masch found a puck at the side of the net and shot it in behind McGaw. Jimmy Carter and Sam Rice credited with the assists.

Cougars with the shot advantage 10-5. Referee Trent Knorr finding five minors on the Braves, only two on the home team.

1:14 into the middle frame, Stinson sent Trevor Yee in alone on a partial break away and Yee buried it 5-hole through Pelzner.

Midway through the period, captain Ryan Komori raced in after a pass from Stinson, got around the Cougar d-man, and deked out Pelzner, then roofed a back hander under the bar and in. Chad Roorda with the 2nd helper.

The Cougars scored two power play goals 1:42 apart to tie it up quickly at three. First it was Josh Wyatt, then Adam Steenbergen evened it up.

Cougars out shooting the Braves 19-10. Two minors called on the Braves, one on the Cougars.

Just the game winning goal in the third and it was the Braves leading sniper all season burying the winner high into the 4x6 with a perfect pass from Ellenberger.

One minor called on the Braves, two on the Cougars. Again the shot total was in the Cougars favour 10-7, 39-22 over all.

First Star was Mark Stinson with three assists, 2nd Star was Sam Rice with two helpers, and 3rd Star was Tanner McGaw with 36 saves.

Little time to rest up as Game 2 goes Friday night at Pearkes Arena. Puck drops at 6:30pm.