The OCN Blizzard used home ice to their advantage last night as they beat the visiting Portage Terriers 8-3 in game one of the best of seven Turnbull Cup final. Offence wasn't a problem for OCN as they were able to score early and often.

The first Blizzard shot of the game found the back of the net in the first two minutes. Tristan Elie raced over the blue line on the left wing and snapped a shot over the glove of Kurtis Chapman. OCN increased their lead near the end of the first period with a pretty passing play finished off by Brady Valiquette. With 3 seconds left in the frame, Portage defenseman Mackenzie Dwyer fired a shot from a sharp angle on the power play and it was tipped in by James McIsaac.

The Blizzard regained their two goal lead early in the second period when Elie scored his second of the night in similar fashion to his first. Once again Portage drew within one when Jeremey Leipsic came over the blue line and fired a shot past Brett Epp from the slot.

The game opened up for the Blizzard as Daylon Campbell, and Brayden Dale picked up goals to make it 5-2 heading into the second intermission. Chapman stopped 19 of 24 shots in the first two periods and was pulled in favour of Brock Aiken to start the third.

OCN picked up where they left off scoring early in the third period. Captain Brady Keeper scored his 4th of the playoffs. Portage would draw within three when Spencer Kuhlman scored his first as a Terrier but it was to little too late. Campbell scored his second of the night, and Elie completed the hattrick to make it 8-3.

The first half of the game was dead even but the Blizzard pulled away in the second half with their rambunctious crowd behind them. Portage was 1-5 on the power play. Aiken made nine saves on 12 shots. Game two of the best of seven final goes tonight at 7 pm at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre. The Hi Tec Industries pregame show starts at 6:50 pm.

For the complete box score click here.

Chase Brakel gets ready for the face-off