The Norwich Merchants' Mitchell Berzins scored 6:06 into overtime to beat the Burford Bulldogs, 5-4 (OT).

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

The Merchants nearly gave up a two-score lead. Norwich made it 4-2 on a power play goal by Jesse Szabo at 3:22 in the second period. Burford got to within 4-3 on a power play goal by Mitch Randell at 10:21 in the third period.

The Merchants were paced by Berzins, who racked up one goal and one assist.

Norwich forced Bulldogs' goalies to work between the pipes, finishing with 35 shots and forcing 30 saves. Michael Black made 25 stops and Riley Edwards made five. The Merchants were ineffective while on the power play, as they were held to two goals off of 11 man advantages. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals.

Others who scored for Norwich included Jamie Kelly, Zack Morrison, and Troy Lamoure, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Norwich were Braeden Shand, who had two, Drake Morrell, who had three, and Kurtis Lavis and Derek Slaght, who contributed one each.

Burford also had goals scored by Broidy Rondelet, Tyler Hinde, and Jesse Brooks, who scored one goal each. In addition, Burford received assists from Connor Merritt, who had two and Chris Grand and Adam Harris, who each chipped in one.

Patrick Maziarz made 24 saves for Norwich on 28 shots. The Merchants incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. The Bulldogs totaled 27 minutes in penalty time with 11 minors and one major and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Burford ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Hinde was ejected from the game.