The Listowel Cyclones ran into penalty trouble midway through the first period and it opened the door just enough for the London Nationals.
With one player in the box, the Cyclones were flagged for a tripping call which gave London a 5-on-3 and they made good on it, scoring just 14 seconds after the call was made. Then just over a minute later, London scored for a second time on the power play. Noah Tooke and James Turner were credited with the goals.
The the one that put Listowel behind the eight ball came with just over three minutes to play in the first period. Forward Christian Polillo was left open at the side of the net and he easily chipped the puck in for a 3-0 London lead.
The Cyclones settled down in the second period and kept London off the score sheet while Trent Verbeek scored late in the frame. He walked the puck from right side to the left side and used the London defenceman as a screen, snapping it home for Listowel's first goal of the series.
But that was it as London added an empty net goal to officially make the final 4-1.
London was 2-for-5 on the power play while Listowel was 0-for-4.
Game 2 of the series is in Listowel Friday night at 7:30 PM with advance tickets on sale Thursday between 7 PM and 8 PM.
