A surge that saw Maple Ridge grind out four straight goals to kick off the third period proved to be enough in Game 1, as the Burrards topped the New Westminster Salmonbellies 8-3 on Friday at the Cam Neely Arena in Maple Ridge.
Up 3-2 after 40 minutes, the Burrards put some distance between them and the 'Bellies on tallies by Zack Porter and Ben McIntosh three minutes apart early in the third. Maple Ridge counted two more -- Adam Dickson, with his second, and Matthew Dinsdale's third of the night -- in a span of 28 seconds at the frame's midway point to make a 7-2.
New West's Mitch Jones, on a powerplay, briefly cut the deficit to four but Porter notched his second into an empty net to complete the scoring.
The game had its share of fireworks, as New West was tagged with 108 minutes, while the Burrards drew 79. The majority of penalty minutes were handed out in the final few minutes of the game, when Zach Herreweyers, Mitch Jones and Joel McCready were handed game misconducts, as were Maple Ridge's Aaron Davis and Kevin Reid.
The Burrards outshot New West 49-40.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday for Game 2, 7:30 p.m. at Queen's Park Arena.
