The New Hamburg Firebirds had trouble finding ways to stop the Ayr Centennials, which beat Firebirds, 4-1.

After the loss made the series score 3-1 in the best of seven series, New Hamburg faces elimination next time out.

Ayr's Jackson Swindells was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 48 saves and let only one puck past him. Swindells managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 2.08 prior to the game.

The Firebirds' power play was ineffective against the Centennials' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Ayr forced New Hamburg's goalies to work between the pipes, ripping 32 shots and forcing 28 saves. Ryan Purcell made 19 stops and Tanner Topham made nine. The Centennials stifled the Firebirds' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.

Ayr was helped by Riley Clipper, who finished with one goal and one assist. Clipper scored 11:43 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Ayr. Ayr additionally got points from Jake Whibbs, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Ayr also had goals scored by Nolan Ferris and Quinn Diamond, who each put in one.

New Hamburg put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Centennials to score on any of their six power plays. The Firebirds' offense rang up 49 shots on Ayr's net.

The Centennials incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. New Hamburg incurred 22 minutes in penalty time with six minors.