The Norwich Merchants tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the New Hamburg Firebirds held on for a 5-4 victory.

New Hamburg made the score 5-3 on a goal by Carter Tracey at 10:23 in the third period, and Norwich got as close as 5-4 when Matt Zilke scored 14:02 into the third period.

The Merchants' power play was ineffective against the Firebirds' penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.

New Hamburg forced Norwich goalie Jesse Schoeman to work between the pipes, taking 41 shots.

Others who scored for New Hamburg included Colin Martin, Anthony Osterling, Brodie Muckler, and Tyler Hoffman, who scored one goal each. In addition, New Hamburg received assists from Jerry Ennett, Kevin Mullaly, Tyler Randerson, David Jennings, and Andrew Boer, who contributed one each and Kory Nowak and Chris Eckert, who each chipped in two.

The Merchants were led by Mitchell Berzins, who had two goals and one assist. Berzins scored the first of his two goals at 9:27 into the second period to make the score 2-2. Drake Morrell assisted on the tally. Berzins' next tally made the score 4-3 New Hamburg with 14:32 left in the third period. Norwich had gotten the advantage when the Firebirds' Ben Playfair was sent off for spearing. Morrell picked up the assist. Braeden Shand also scored for Norwich. More assists for Norwich came via Alex Daley, Brandon Velda, Jesse Szabo, and Troy Lamoure, who contributed one each.

New Hamburg's Tanner Topham stopped 24 shots out of the 28 that he faced. The Firebirds incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with 10 minors. Jesse Schoeman made 36 saves for the Merchants on 41 shots. Norwich incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.