Dylan Sikura lifted the Aurora Tigers to a 7-2 victory with a hat trick against the Cobourg Cougars.

The win gave Aurora a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

The game was close after the first frame, but the Tigers banged in four goals during the second period to put the victory out of reach for Cobourg.

The Cougars' power play was ineffective against Aurora's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

The Tigers forced Cougars' goaltenders to work between the pipes, getting 47 shots and forcing 40 saves. Nathan Perry made 30 stops and Mathieu Ouellet made 10. Aurora excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in six chances.

Aurora also had goals scored by Curtis Warren, Johnny Curran, Calvin Higley, and Robert Angiolella, who scored one goal each. In addition, Aurora received assists from Taylor McCloy, who had two, Noah Delmas, who had three, and Michael Keenan, Austin Rigney, Tyler Boston, and Eric Williams, who contributed one each.

The Tigers were unable to stop Cobourg from sending pucks towards the net, and the Cougars eventually piled up 34 shots on goal.

Others who scored for Cobourg included Landon Schiller and Connor Hogg, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Cobourg were Ryan OGrady, Liam Grande, Stuart King, and Connor Armour, who each chipped in one.

Kevin Entmaa made 32 saves for Aurora on 34 shots. The Tigers incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. Cobourg incurred 32 minutes in penalty time with 11 minors. The Cougars ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Kenzie Smith was ejected from the game.