The Rocky Rams took game one of their best of three playoff series, 7-6 yesterday vs the Red Deer Vipers.

In the first period the Rams more than doubled the Vipers in shots 16-6. In this high scoring game it was Rams forward Caleb Andrew who would open the scoring late in the first period to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. Reid Christiansen and Jake smith earned the assists.

In the second period it was all Rams after Reid Christiansen would improve the lead to 2-0 after a shorthanded goal at 9:45, with assists coming from Jake Smith and Kyle Humphrey. Just over one minute later Rams forward Caleb Andrew would get his second goal of the game, which would give the Rams a 3-0 lead. Reid Christiansen and Jake Smith would get the assists. The Rams would find the back of the net again, this time on the powerplay after Reid Christiansen would score his second goal of the game, with assists coming off the sticks of Nick Jervis and Grady Mofford. At the end of 40 minutes played the Rams were going into the third period with a 4-0 lead.

In the third period, the Vipers came to life getting on the scoresheet early at 1:28 after Brandon Kalinowski got his first of the playoffs, with Lynden Robertson and Quinn Sampson-Goodman getting the assists. Shortly afterwards, the Vipers would make it a 4-2 game after an Alex Litster goal, with Marcus Laisnez and Carter Stone getting the assists. The Rams would bend but not break though after they would reclaim a three goal lead when Kayden Robinson found the back of the net, with Cale Stecyk and Nick Jervis gathering the assists. The back and forth action continued in the third period and saw the Vipers bite back at 11:14 on the powerplay making it 5-3 thanks to Andrew Wallace getting his first goal of the game, which was assisted by Alex Litster and Kyle Wallace. Just over two minutes later the Vipers would get within one, after a Marcus Laisnez goal, with the loan assist coming from Dawson Jones to make it 5-4. Shortly after the Vipers would get put on a four minute powerplay after Quinn Tomalty took a double minor kneeing penalty. Andrew Wallace of the Vipers would score twice on the double minor completing the hat-trick and also giving the Vipers a 6-5 lead. However, the Vipers lead was short lived after Jake Smith of the Rams would tie the game 6-6. Reid Christiansen and Tristan Hoffus were credited with the assists. Then at 17:58 it would be the Rams reclaiming the lead 7-6 after Kyle Humphrey found the back of the net for the game winning goal. Jake Smith and Reid Christiansen would get the assists.

The Rams skated away with a 7-6 victory in game one of the best of three series.

Game two is Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Servus Arena in Red Deer. Puck drop is at 8:45 p.m.