One series down, two to go for a B.C. banner.

The Cariboo Cougars can take that mindset after a first-round playoff sweep of the South Island Royals.

The 15- to 17-year-old Cougars beat the Royals 5-1 Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum, one day after a hard-fought 4-3 decision in a B.C. Hockey Major Midget League quarterfinal match-up.

In Saturday's clincher, the Cats found themselves in a 1-1 tie early in the second period but finally shook free of the Royals on goals by Brad Morrison and defenceman Bryan Allbee.

In the third period, Braiden Epp and Logan Styler -- two of the big gunners on the Cariboo club -- closed out the scoring.

Liam Blackburn had the other Cariboo goal, a first-period marker that opened the scoring. The Royals, however, got an equalizer moments into the second period. On the rush, Cole Pickup sent a soft pass to Nick Guiney, who redirected the puck past Cougars goalie Nathan Warren.

The Cougars are the first team to advance and could know who they will host in the semifinals as early as tonight.