Nobody said the playoffs would be easy.
The Castlegar Rebels found that out first-hand Thursday night, losing Game 3 4-0 in Spokane against a plucky Braves squad.
Spokane goaltender Garrett Barr stopped 45 Rebel shots to record the first shutout of the series, which Castlegar now leads two games to one.
Like the Rebels in Game 1, Spokane’s offensive success came from the power-play, totaling three times in eight opportunities.
The lone goal of the first period came just four seconds after a Rebel defenceman was booked for slashing, as Mitch Fowler one-timed a shot past starting netminder Alex Ross.
Rance Hughes and Tanner Slarks would add second-period power-play markers, chasing Ross in the process.
Hughes would add a second goal on a breakaway in the third, rounding out the scoring.
The Rebels and Braves will get right back to work tomorrow night in Game 4 before the two sides return to Castlegar for Game 5 on Sunday evening (5:00, Complex.)