The Portage Islanders have clinched the top spot in the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League after a 5-1 win over the Carman Beavers Wednesday night at Stride Place.

Five different Islanders found the back of the net in the win, while Ryan Person stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced.

Forward Jonah Wasylak says it was a critical game for them to win.

"Huge. We secured home ice (advantage) and we had a two game slide there so it was nice to put together a full game," says Wasylak. "It was a really hard fought game, and the room feels pretty good now. Good feeling and a much deserved break coming up."

Wasylak says the team will refresh and take a break before the postseason starts for them in a few weeks. He adds they are happy to have some momentum going into the playoffs.

"It feels good, feels good. We're ready for whoever we get," says Wasylak. "All we can do now is just sit back and watch the Survivor Series and come ready to play in a couple of weeks."

In the SEMHL, the top three seeds get automatic byes into the semi-finals. Teams 4 through 7 will play in the Survivor Series. The 4th place team hosts the 7th place team and the 5th place team hosts the 6th place team. The winning teams meet in a best-of-three series to see who qualifies for the semi-finals to face the Islanders.

If the season ended today, the Morden Bombers and Warren Mercs would finish 2nd and 3rd, while the Carman Beavers, Altona Maroons, Notre Dame Hawks, and Winkler Royals would be the teams participating in the Survivor Series.

The Bombers (11-5) and Mercs (10-4-2) have 22 points with two games left to play. The Beavers (9-6-1-1) have 20 points with one game left, against the Warren Mercs at home on Saturday.