By Colin Percy

It had been a perfect start to the pre-season for the Norwich Merchants after recording 3 wins in 3 games to kickstart their exhibition action. That run would end on Thursday night when they travelled to New Hamburg to tangle with the Firebirds.

The Firebirds opened the scoring 7:40 into the game and the doubled the lead 1:15 later, a lead the firebirds would hold after the first period that saw the teams combine for 20 shots evenly divided at 10 apiece. The goal light wouldn’t flash in the second period, but it would in the third period when Gage Deborghraeve would bury his second marker of the pre-season. Norwich continued to press, but couldn’t find an equalizer. New Hamburg would add one more tally in the final minute to take the game 3-1. Ryan Dayman and Matt Caskanette would register assists on the Deborghraeve goal while Owen Hahn and Tyler Gubesch combined to make 22 saves in the loss. Norwich outshot the Firebirds 27-25 in the contest and were perfect on the penalty kill as the Firebirds went 0 for 7 with the man advantage. Norwich also failed to score on any of their 4 powerplay opportunities.

Norwich will close out the pre-season schedule with a pair of back to back games. On Thursday night, they hit the road to Hagersville for a 7:30pm start against the Hawks. New Hamburg will visit Norwich on Friday night at 8pm in a game sponsored by Norwich Pharmasave.

Norwich will open the regular season on Friday September 14th when they host the Wellesley Apple Jacks in a game sponsored by Nor-Del Cable. Prior to the game, up and coming country artists The Small Town Girls will play on stage in the parking lot at 6pm. Mackenzie Leigh Meyer will play her hits immediately following the game. Bone In Catering and Maddy Moo’s will also be on hand to provide food and there will be a licensed beer garden in place as well.

OVERTIME

110 Club passes are now available for the upcoming season. $110 gets individuals entrance into the team’s final exhibition game along with all 20 regular season home and both the Fall and Spring Fish Fry’s taking place on Saturday November 17th & Saturday April 20th. Contact any Merchant executive for further details.