In the opening period between the Yorkton Terriers and Battlefords North Stars, it was the visitors who struck first on the power play following a defensive zone turnover by Gavin Bartha behind the net.
The puck found its way to Alessio Nardelli, who snapped a shot post-and-in over the shoulder of Callum Creig to open the scoring.
Yorkton generated nine shots on Kaeden Serpa in the frame, while Creig turned aside all nine shots he faced.
The Terriers began the middle period on the power play, with Carter Geysen serving the remainder of a hooking penalty carried over from the first, but were unable to solve Serpa.
Battlefords doubled their lead off a fortunate bounce in the offensive zone, as the puck landed on the stick of Josh Knittig, who outwaited Creig to make it 2-0.
The Terriers responded late in the period, as the youngest player on the roster, Trae Peterson, ripped a glove-side shot for his first SJHL goal to cut the deficit in half.
In the third, Yorkton pulled even early. Peterson created the play behind the net, protecting the puck before feeding a wide-open Cash Lanigan, who buried his second of the postseason just 1:41 into the frame.
The Terriers grabbed their first lead of the night moments later on one of the prettiest goals of the playoffs. Jye Zawatsky toe-dragged around a defender and roofed a backhand top corner, notching his second of the postseason.
Battlefords had a chance to tie the game shortly after on a penalty shot awarded to Kobe Sawyer, though there was some controversy as the puck appeared to be knocked down with a high stick prior to the infraction.
Creig came up clutch, stoning Sawyer with the left toe to preserve the 3-2 lead.
He was outstanding down the stretch, turning aside all 10 shots he faced in the third, including a late flurry with the North Stars net empty, finishing with 30 saves on the night.
Yorkton held off the late push to take Game One and a 1-0 series lead.
The Terriers will look to make it 2-0 in the series tomorrow night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
