For the first time in 22 years the Norwich Merchants are Niagara District Champions after defeating Grimsby 3-0 Saturday night to win the Niagara Final in 5 games.
Norwich showed from the start of the game that they wanted to end this series Saturday night. They played smothering defence everytime Grimsby touched the puck, they hit Grimsby every chance they had and they flat outworked them. Sean McLeod opened the scoring on a powerplay goal 2:40 into the first period. Bryan Phillips would put Norwich up 2-0 with 27 seconds left in the first period when his wrist shot went off of Mike Tardif's glove and into the net. Norwich outshot Grimsby in the first 10-6.
Todd Kemp would put the nail in Grimsby's coffin 3:22 into the second scoring into a half open net. The rest of the period Grimsby tried to get any kind of momentum going but couldn't getting outshot 14-3.
The Third period was a lot like the second where Grimsby couldn't get anything going as Norwich outshot them 8-3 for the period and 32-12 for the game. Norwich goalie Cody Vinnai picked up his 3rd shutout of the playoffs while upping his record to 12-4.
Up next for Norwich is Schmalz Cup Semifinals against the Essex 73's that will start sometime next weekend. When the Schedule becomes available it will be posted on the blog. Essex won the Great Lakes League defeating the Dresden Kings in four straight games.
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