The win gave the Mavericks a one-game-to-none lead in the best-of-three series, with Game 2 set for Friday in Regina.
The Mavericks – overwhelming favourites heading into the semifinal after a 14-2-0 regular season – took a bit of time to get going against the Renegades, not hitting the scoresheet until 5:48 remained in the opening frame and Ashley Breitkreuz scored the game’s first goal.
Brooklyn Nimegeers added her first of the game with 1:40 remaining in the period, and Kami Schumack made it 3-0 midway through the second before the Renegade’s Sabrina King would get one back with 6:21 to play.
The two-goal lead held until the 11:52 mark of the third when Nimegeers scored on the power play. Schumack would make it 5-1 only 42 seconds later, and Nimegeers finished off the hat trick 1:14 after that marker to close out scoring.
Both Nimegeers and Schumack also added an assist to their point totals.
Shay Camphaug made 25 saves in the Mavericks goal, Moose Jaw fired 41 at Regina’s Anna Hartnell.
The winner of the series will advance to face either the first-place East Central Fillies or Prairie Storm Thunder, with the Fillies leading that series 1-0 after a 5-2 victory in Game 1 Sunday.
If necessary, Game 3 of the Mavericks series will take place on Sunday, Mar. 8 (1:15 p.m., Bert Hunt).
