The Amherstburg Admirals had a three-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 7-2 win over the Wheatley Sharks.

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

The Admirals pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 24 penalty minutes.

Amherstburg was led by Blake Rutckyj, who grabbed one goal. Rutckyj scored 1:21 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Amherstburg. Dean Patterson picked up the assist.

The Admirals put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Wheatley to score on any of its six power plays. Amherstburg's offense rang up 34 shots on the Sharks' net.

Amherstburg additionally got points from James Brooks, who also had one goal and one assist and Kasey Basile, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Amherstburg included Luke Gangnon, who had two and Mark Gangnon and Brett Beattie, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Amherstburg were Mark Sobocan, who had two and Brett Banwell, Curtis Prymack, Steven Spada, Conor Rennie, Dan Matoski, Ryan Alexander, and Chad Copeland, who each chipped in one.

Wheatley kept the Admirals' goalie busy throughout the game, and Arren Romeril made 38 saves on 40 shots.

The Sharks were helped by Lucas Raffoul, who registered one goal. Raffoul scored 16:16 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Amherstburg. Mike Reid assisted on the tally. Wheatley also got a goal from Austin Thompson as well. In addition, Wheatley received assists from Brett Bowman and Scott Florence, who contributed one each.

Amherstburg registered one goal on six power play opportunities. Wheatley's Conner MacKinnon stopped 27 shots out of the 34 that he faced. The Sharks incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.