The Petrolia Flyers aren't making it easy for the first place Lakeshore Canadiens.
Despite finishing 49 points back of Lakeshore in the standings, Petrolia made a big statement in game one, falling just short of an upset win.
Petrolia scored a pair of late goals to send the game to overtime, where Lakeshore's Mejoe Gasparovic scored the winner 17:38 into the first overtime period.
Curtis Helps scored twice while Kirklin Dorman recorded three assists for Petrolia.
The Flyers went three for ten with the man advantage, while successfully killing all five of Lakeshore's man advantages.
The series shifts to Lakeshore Friday night for game two.
Elsewhere Thursday night,
Sarnia's Joel Sowinski stopped all 27 shots he faced as Dresden blanked Blenheim 3-0 to take game one of that series.
Mooretown is in Essex Friday night for game one, the two teams will meet in Mooretown for game two Saturday.
