The Norwich Merchants used a sparkling performance by Zac Easveld to take down the Wellesley Applejacks, as the netminder did not allow a goal in Norwich's 4-0 shutout victory.

The win by the Merchants broke a deadlock and gave Norwich a 2-1 advantage in the best of seven series.

The Merchants pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 26 penalty minutes.

Norwich was led by Ryan Stephenson, who had one goal. Stephenson scored 7:34 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Norwich. Taylor Gosset assisted on the tally.

The Merchants put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Wellesley to score on any of its eight power plays. Norwich's offense rang up 34 shots on the Applejacks' net. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals.

Norwich also had goals scored by Nick Burdett, Zach Couwenberg, and Troy Lamoure, who scored one goal each. More assists for Norwich came via Zack Morrison, who had one and Mitchell Berzins and Brandon Zimmermann, who each chipped in two.

Wellesley's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Norwich power plays.

Zac Easveld made 25 saves for the Merchants on 25 shots. Josh Heer recorded 30 saves for the Applejacks. Wellesley incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. The Applejacks ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Luke Rose was ejected from the game.