The Nanton Palominos squared off against the Lethbridge Lightning in the opening games of the Ranchland hockey league championships over the weekend.

And they're all knotted up at one game apiece in the best-of-five senior men's AA championship series.

The Pals are the current holders of the title and the cup.  And are looking to claim their six consecutive championship.

The Pals came out flying in Lethbridge for game one on Saturday and skated away with a 5-1 win.

It was Lightning's turn yesterday though as they took a 3-0 lead after the first period, with a 5-1 lead after two periods and clung on for a 6-5 win.

The matchup for game three is this Friday at 8:00 p.m. in Nanton with game four scheduled for Saturday in Lethbridge at 8:15 p.m. and if a game five is necessary it will be played on Sunday in Lethbridge, game time to be determined.