The Chatham Maroons' Gus Ford scored 1:36 into overtime to beat the Leamington Flyers, 6-5 (OT).

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

The Maroons nearly gave up a three-score lead. Chatham made it 5-2 on a power play goal by Ford at 10:00 in the second period. Leamington pulled to within 5-4 on a goal by J.P. Grineau at 12:05 in the third period.

The Maroons kept the Flyers' goalie busy throughout the game, and Tyler Wall made 25 saves on 31 shots.

Chatham also had goals scored by Mark Fratarcangelli, Steven Beenackers, and Blair Derynck, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Chatham were Dede Cato, who had two and Ryan Fraser, Devin Panzeca, Austin Thompson, Brendan Johnston, Declan Conway, Ross Krieger, and Ian Faubert, who each chipped in one.

Leamington forced Chatham goalie Johnston to work between the pipes, taking 34 shots. The Flyers got an offensive boost from their blueliners, who contributed two goals during the game.

Leamington also got points from Mark Manchurek, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Mark Gangnon, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Liam Hogan, who also tallied one goal and one assist. More assists for Leamington came via Mitchell Amante, who had two and Scott Florence, Derek Elliott, and David Storey, who contributed one each.

The Maroons' Johnston stopped 29 shots out of the 34 that he faced. Chatham incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with 10 minors. Leamington incurred 26 minutes in penalty time with eight minors.