Portage Islanders opened the SEMHL Semi-finals with a road victory over Carman Beavers last night.

It was a 4-2 final for the Isles, who were powered by Rob Roteliuk's two goals, one in the first period, and the other in the third.

Roteliuk opened the scoring at 2:24 of the first, and the Islanders never trailed in the game. Tanner Waldvogel gave them a 2-0 lead at 8:27 of the opening frame, and that's how things stood at intermission.

Carman's Brock Vanderveen got the only goal in the second period.

In the third, Roteliuk and Tyler Harland scored to make it 4-1. The Beavers' answered at 12:13, but that was as close as Carman came.

Jesse Deckert got the win for Portage, facing 38 shots. He says Carman's a tough team to play.

"A lot of skill up front and it was a good battle. These guys work hard and we match up well against these guys. Tonight, we came upon top, but it's playoffs, anything can happen, just back at it Saturday."

Islanders' forward Anders Strome had a couple of assists, and says it's nice to get the first win on the road.

"Just come out, keep it simple. We got those two early goals, and we could play with the lead the whole game. Deckert played awesome for us back there, he made some big saves at key times, and we were able to capitalize. They're dangerous, we've got to be ready for game 2, but I think we match up well."

All the stats are here.

The Islanders take their 1-0 best of 7 series lead back to Carman tomorrow night. That game's at 8 o'clock.

Game 3 is Tuesday night at the PCU Centre.

In the other semi-final, Morden blanked Altona 3-0, and lead that series 1-0.