The Dawson Creek Senior Canucks have dug themselves a giant hole after losing Game 3 of the West Division semifinals, 7-2, on Saturday at Spirit River.

The ‘Nucks now trail the Rangers 3-0 in the best-of-seven series that resumes tonight at Memorial Arena.

From start to finish the Rangers controlled the play, outshooting the Canucks 52-15 and outscoring Dawson Creek 5-1 in the first period.

Colin Lefley scored his first of two on the night to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead at 18:38 of the first period before Canucks’ newest addition Trevor Dahlen tied things at 1-1 two minutes after.

But that’s as close as the Canucks would come as the Rangers soon took command, scoring four straight to end the period and leaving the Canucks in their dust.

Mike Lefley scored twice, while Corey Littman and Dan Nichols each added a goal to increase Spirit River’s lead to 5-1 after 20 minutes.

It was much of the same in the second as Colin Lefley scored again and Dustin Sather would make it 7-1 with less than a minute left in the frame while the Canucks were held scoreless.

Colten MacLean was the third period’s lone scorer, as he notched the Canucks second goal with 6:52 left in regulation.

Prior to Saturday’s game, captain and player-coach Adam Loncan said the Canucks had to work on getting more shots to the Rangers’ net, but averaging five per period won’t cut it against a team like Spirit River.

“We need to get some shots through and get some bodies in front,” said Loncan, following the ‘Nucks Game 2 loss on Thursday, where they fell 6-3. “I think maybe we took some shots at the wrong time when we had no screens.

“They come hard at you. We know what they bring it’s just a matter of getting our stuff together and getting the puck to the net,” he added.

Tonight, the Canucks look to avoid being swept by the Rangers for the second time in three straight division semifinal meetings with Spirit River.

The puck drops at 8:30 p.m.