The Ayr Centennials were firing on all cylinders against the Norwich Merchants, and when the final buzzer sounded Centennials emerged with a 6-1 win.

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

The Centennials' Will Rawski was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 41 saves and let only one puck past him. Rawski managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 1.67 prior to the game.

Ayr was led by Jordan Pettitt, who registered one goal. Pettitt scored 23 seconds into the second period to make the score 2-0 Ayr. Quinn Diamond assisted on the tally.

The Centennials' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Norwich power plays. Ayr forced Norwich goalie Patrick Maziarz to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots.

Ayr additionally got points from Diamond, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Anthony Pullia, who also had one goal and one assist, and Andrew Richard, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Ayr included Connor MacLean and Brendan Schaefer, who scored one goal each. In addition, Ayr received assists from Mackenzie Kemp, Jackson White, Riley Clipper, Austin Kovrig, Jeff Howlett, and Felix Lantaigne, who contributed one each.

The Centennials were unable to stop the Merchants from sending pucks towards the net, and Norwich eventually piled up 42 shots on goal.

The Merchants were led by Mitchell Berzins, who scored the team's only goal. Berzins scored 7:02 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Ayr. Braeden Shand provided the assist.

Ayr incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Maziarz recorded 33 saves for Norwich. The Merchants incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.