A four-goal second period lifted the Revelstoke Grizzlies to a 4-3 victory over the Merritt Centennials in Game 1 of the Bill Olhausen Division semifinals on Friday, Feb. 28.
Colton McLeod, Jake Phillips-Watts, Daniel Wittenberg and Keiran Keilly scored in succession for Revelstoke, which leads the best-of-seven, KIJHL first-round series 1-0. Ryder Ponto made 26 saves.
The Grizzlies' offensive outburst in the middle frame came after Cohen Poulin and Steven Foster found the back of the net to give Merritt a 2-0 lead. Poulin scored his second of the night on the power play in the third period.
Centennials goaltender Andrew Krakora made 37 saves.
The Revelstoke Forum hosted the series' first game, with the Grizzlies finishing ahead of the Centennials in the Bill Olhausen Division regular-season standings.
Game 2 goes on Saturday night, March 1, in Revelstoke. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
The action will shift to Merritt on Monday and Tuesday for the series' third and fourth games.
