The Athens Aeros, after downing the Casselman Vikings 5-4 Sunday night, are just one win away from claiming their first Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League Rideau-St. Lawrence Conference championship since 1994, and just their third overall.

Athens leads the best-of-seven conference final 3-1 with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday night in Casselman at 8 p.m.

The Aeros won the title in back-to-back seasons (1992- 93 and 1993-94) and have lost in the final four times in the past five seasons, including last year to the Vikings.

Athens was never behind in the game, owning leads of 1- 0 and 2-1 in the first period and 3-2 and 4-3 in the second. A goal midway through the third period, however, gave the Aeros a 5-3 lead and they held on for the win.

Leading the way offensively for the Aeros was Michael McKenney, with a goal and two assists. Mark Craig, with two assists, was the only other multi-point man for Athens, which received single goals from J.P. Augustine, Pat Cameron, Drew Powell and Daniel Lacroix, with what proved to be the game winner at 9:58 of the third period.

Replying for Casselman, which outshot Athens 41-34 in the game, were Simon Cousineau, with two goals, Derek Widenmaier and Maxime St. Pierre.