The Carnduff Red Devils drew first blood in their Senior 'B' South Final series against the Balcarres Broncs on Saturday night.

Carnduff jumped out to a massive lead and held on late to win the opener 6-4, leading the Best-of-3 series (1-0).

The Red Devils wasted no time in setting the tone for the series as they quieted the crowd inside the 'Polardome' with a big first period.

Carnduff's Shawn Gallant got the first goal of the series on the powerplay, sniping a shot top corner past the glove of Balcarres goaltender Dave Spooner to make it 1-0.

Just over a minute later, Carnduff forced a turnover and Trevor Geiger made it count to make it 2-0. Only 30 seconds later, Nico Anderson buried a rebound to quickly put the Red Devils up 3-0 which remained the score entering the first intermission.

The Red Devils would extend their lead 37 seconds into the second period as Jordon Miller was sprung in on a breakaway. Miller went forehand, backhand, and into the back of the net to make it 4-0.

Carnduff extended the lead to 5-0 halfway through the period as Gallant deflected home a point shot for his second of the game. The Red Devils were in complete control of the game, but Balcarres wouldn't go down quietly.

Balcarres scored two goals at the end of the second period to make it 5-2 heading into the final period. The Red Devils had an early power play to start the 3rd period but were unable to execute.

Then shorthanded, the Broncs would cut into the lead once again on a pretty give-and-go to make it 5-3.

Balcarres made it a one-goal game with 2:07 to play in regulation, making for a nervous finish for the busload of Red Devils fans who made the trip.

After a close call with a deflection going off the side of the post, Carnduff would recover the puck in the corner. Spooner was hanging out at the Balcarres blueline waiting to get the call for the extra attacker. But while waiting, the Red Devils made a quick stretch pass into the neutral zone for Matt Audette. Audette got the angle on the goaltender and fired the puck into the net to make it 6-4. Carnduff would hold on in the final minute for the victory.

Game Two of the series shifts to the Fast Centennial Arena in Carnduff on Saturday, March 17th at 7:30 p.m. If Carnduff wins, they will advance to the Senior 'B' provincial final against Outlook/Beechy. If Balcarres wins, Game Three returns to the Polardome on Sunday, March 18th at 5:00 p.m.